Banknotes & Counterfeit Deterrence

Every country has legal restrictions on the reproduction of banknote images. The counterfeiting of currency is a crime, and while restrictions vary from country to country, in some countries, any reproduction of banknote images – even for artistic or advertising uses – is strictly forbidden. Even in countries that allow some limited use of banknote images, there are specific rules and requirements. This website will provide you with information about reproducing banknote images and links to country-specific websites for further guidance.


While the overall economic losses to society from counterfeiting of currency are generally limited, the victims who suffer the most harm are individuals and businesses, because no one reimburses those who accept counterfeit notes. Counterfeit currency can also undermine confidence in the payment system, making the public uncertain about accepting cash for transactions.

The Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG) is responsible for this website. A counterfeit deterrence system (CDS) has been developed by the CBCDG to deter the use of personal computers, digital imaging equipment, and software in the counterfeiting of banknotes. The CDS has been voluntarily adopted by hardware and software manufacturers, and prevents personal computers and digital imaging tools from capturing or reproducing the image of a protected banknote. The technology does not have the capacity to track the use of a personal computer or digital imaging tools.

For information specific to a particular country or the banknote image you want to use, click on the appropriate region on the map or select the relevant country or currency from the list.

1.

Regions:

 Select a region from the list or click on the map below
 

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Currency:

Countries:

Languages:
DKK - Danish krone Denmark (including the Faeroe Islands and Greenland) Danish

Official bank or department:

Contact information:

Links:
Danmarks Nationalbank Administration – Communications
Danmarks Nationalbank
Havnegade 5
DK-1093 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Tel.: +45 3363 7000
Fax: +45 3363 7103
E-mail: info@nationalbanken.dk

Legal framework

Low dpi banknote images

Low dpi banknote images (Faeroe Islands)

General information about the reproduction of banknotes:

Reproductions of banknotes may be used in advertisements, for example to illustrate a means of payment. However, no elements of banknote motifs or designs may be used as part of a corporate profile. It must always be made clear that banknotes are issued by Danmarks Nationalbank and that the Bank holds the copyright to the banknote design.

Reproductions of this currency must not be shown in a context that may cause offence (e.g. as part of pornographic or violent material).

Pictures or images of human beings printed on the banknotes must be reproduced faithfully and not distorted in any way.

If in doubt, please contact Danmarks Nationalbank directly.

Assessments are made on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that many other factors can come into play, e.g. the Danish Act on Copyright and the Marketing Practices Act.

Reproduction in printed media:

A banknote may be reproduced if at least one of the following criteria is met:

  • Reproductions are in sizes smaller than 70% or larger than 140% of the original banknote.
  • At least two-thirds of the reproduction is covered or hidden.

All negatives, plates, positives, digitised storage media, graphics files, magnetic media, optical storage devices and other devices used in the making of the illustration that contain complete or partial images of the illustration must be destroyed, deleted or erased after their final use.

Reproduction in electronic media:

A banknote may only be reproduced if the resolution of the image is 72 dpi or less.