Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Swedish Krona (SEK) Notes

How to Identify Counterfeit SEK (kr) Currency Notes

Sweden might be leading the world in digital payments, but cash still plays a role, especially for tourists. And wherever there’s cash, the risk of fake notes follows. Counterfeit SEK notes might be rare, but they exist, and tourists are often easy targets. This guide walks you through how to verify Swedish krona notes at a glance.

Key Security Features of the Swedish Krona Bank Notes

Raised Ink (Intaglio Printing):

Run your fingers over the portrait, large denomination numerals, and “SVERIGES RIKSBANK”; they should feel slightly raised and textured.

Colour-Shifting Image:

Each note has a metallic image (specific to the denomination) and a number that shifts colour from gold to green when tilted.

Watermark:

Hold the note up to light to reveal a faint image of the portrait and its denomination number.

Security Strip:

Higher denominations (100 SEK and above) include a vertical coloured security strip embedded in the note with transparent windows showing “KR” and a crown.

See-Through Pattern:

When held against the light, front and back partial patterns align to form the full denomination number.

UV Features:

Under ultraviolet light, special elements like glowing fibers and hidden crown symbols appear.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit SEK Currency by Denomination

Every US dollar bill comes with its own set of security features, and knowing what to look for in each one makes spotting a fake a whole lot easier.

Denomination	Raised Ink	Colour-Shifting Image	Watermark	Security Strip	See-Through Pattern	UV Feature
20 SEK	Raised texture on Astrid Lindgren’s portrait, “20,” and “SVERIGES RIKSBANK.”	The metallic book and number “20” shift from gold to green when tilted.	Pale image of Astrid Lindgren and “20” visible when held to light.	No vertical security strip included.	Partial symbols on both sides align to form “20” under light.	Glowing fibers and three-crown symbols appear under UV light.
50 SEK	Textured feel on Evert Taube’s portrait, “50,” and the bank name.	The metallic ship and number “50” shift from gold to green when tilted.	Subtle watermark of Evert Taube and “50” visible under light.	No vertical strip is present on this denomination.	Printed shapes on front and back align to show “50” when backlit.	UV light reveals crown symbols and fluorescent fibers.
100 SEK	Slightly rough texture on Greta Garbo’s portrait, “100,” and bank text.	Metallic film strip and “100” change from gold to green when tilted.	A faint image of Greta Garbo and “100” appears under bright light.	Blue vertical strip with three windows showing “KR” and crowns.	Designs align to form “100” when held to light.	Crown icons and glowing fibers are visible under UV light.
200 SEK	Distinct raised texture on Ingmar Bergman’s portrait, “200,” and the bank name.	Clapperboard and “200” shift from gold to green with tilt.	Embedded image of Bergman and “200” becomes visible under light.	Green vertical strip with shimmering “KR” and crown symbols in small windows.	Patterns align perfectly to reveal “200” when backlit.	Fluorescent fibers and crown motifs glow vividly under UV.
500 SEK	Slight texture on Birgit Nilsson’s portrait, “500,” and “SVERIGES RIKSBANK.”	Musical G-clef and “500” change from gold to green when tilted.	Watermark shows Birgit Nilsson and “500” when held to light.	Red vertical security strip with three crowns and “KR” windows that shimmer.	Printed patterns line up to form “500” in the light.	Crown symbols and fibres glow under UV illumination.
1000 SEK	Raised print on Dag Hammarskjold’s portrait, “1000,” and the central bank name.	Olive branch and “1000” shift from gold to green when tilted.	Watermark of Dag Hammarskjold and “1000” becomes visible under light.	Purple vertical strip with transparent windows showing shimmering “KR” and crowns.	Shapes align to display “1000” when the note is held to light.	Glowing security fibers and fluorescent three-crown symbols under UV light.

1. 20 Krona Note

Raised Ink: Run your fingers over the portrait of Astrid Lindgren, the large number “20”, and the words “SVERIGES RIKSBANK.” These elements should feel noticeably raised and have a textured appearance.
Colour-Shifting Image: A metallic book design appears near the denomination. Tilt the note gently, and both the book and the number “20” will shift in colour from gold to green.
Watermark: Hold the note against light, and you’ll see a pale image of Astrid Lindgren and the number “20” appear. This watermark is embedded in the paper and is not printed.
Security Strip: The 20-krona note does not have a vertical security strip like higher denominations.
See-Through Pattern: On both sides of the note, partial symbols are printed. When held to the light, these align perfectly to form the number “20.”
UV Feature: Under ultraviolet (UV) light, tiny fibers embedded in the note will glow, and symbols such as Sweden’s three crowns will become visible.

2. 50 Krona Note

Raised Ink: The portrait of Evert Taube, the large “50,” and the bank’s name are all printed in raised ink that gives the note a textured feel, especially when rubbed lightly with your thumb.
Colour-Shifting Image: A metallic ship motif, along with the number “50,” appears near the edge. Tilt the note and the colour of both elements will shift from gold to green.
Watermark: When you hold the note up to a light source, a pale image of Evert Taube and the number “50” appears.
Security Strip: Like the 20-krona note, the 50-krona note does not include a vertical security strip.
See-Through Pattern: Small printed shapes on both the front and back line up perfectly to form the number “50” when the note is viewed against light.
UV Feature: Under UV light, glowing fibers and crown symbols appear on the surface of the note, helping confirm its authenticity.

3. 100 Krona Note

Raised Ink: You’ll feel a slightly rough texture on the portrait of Greta Garbo, the large number “100,” and the printed text “SVERIGES RIKSBANK.”
Colour-Shifting Image: A metallic film strip and the number “100” are embedded into the surface of the note. When tilted, they shift colour smoothly from gold to green.
Watermark: Hold the note against light, and you will see a faint image of Greta Garbo along with the number “100”.
Security Strip: The note features a vertical blue security strip on the front left. The strip contains three small windows, each displaying a crown and the letters “KR.”
See-Through Pattern: Designs on both sides of the note align perfectly to form the number “100” when viewed against a light source.
UV Feature: Under UV light, glowing security fibers and crown icons appear across the surface, making counterfeit detection easier.

4. 200 Krona Note

Raised Ink: Rub your finger across Ingmar Bergman’s portrait, the large “200,” and the central bank’s name, and you’ll feel a subtle but distinct raised texture.
Colour-Shifting Image: This note includes a clapperboard symbol and the number “200” printed in colour-shifting ink. When you tilt the note, both elements change from gold to green.
Watermark: Holding the note to light reveals a transparent image of Bergman and the number “200,” integrated directly into the paper rather than printed on the surface.
Security Strip: A vertical green security strip is embedded on the left. Within this strip are small transparent windows showing crowns and “KR” that shimmer as you move the note.
See-Through Pattern: When the note is held up to the light, printed patterns on both sides align to create a full “200” figure.
UV Feature: Under UV lighting, you’ll spot fluorescent security fibers and crown motifs that glow in vibrant colours not visible under normal lighting.

5. 500 Krona Note

Raised Ink: You’ll feel a slightly rough texture on the Birgit Nilsson portrait, the large “500,” and the wording “SVERIGES RIKSBANK.”
Colour-Shifting Image: The 500-krona note features a musical G-clef symbol along with the number “500.” Both shift from gold to green when the viewing angle is changed.
Watermark: When held against light, the note displays a subtle image of Birgit Nilsson and the number “500” in the watermark area, confirming authenticity.
Security Strip: There’s a visible red vertical security strip on the left, containing three transparent windows that show a crown and “KR.” These symbols shimmer when tilted.
See-Through Pattern: Matching patterns on the front and back align to form the number “500” when held up to light.
UV Feature: Shine UV light over the note, and you’ll see glowing crown shapes and colored fibers across the surface.

6. 1000 Krona Note

Raised Ink: A real 1000-krona note has a slightly raised print on the Dag Hammarskjold portrait, the number “1000,” and the “SVERIGES RIKSBANK” text.
Colour-Shifting Image: This note includes an olive branch and the number “1000” printed in metallic ink. Tilt the note and you’ll see both elements shift from gold to green, a sign of genuine currency.
Watermark: When held against light, the note displays a transparent image of Dag Hammarskjold and the number “1000” in the watermark area, confirming authenticity.
Security Strip: A purple vertical strip appears on the left, featuring three windows that show a crown and “KR.” These shine and shift as you move the note around.
See-Through Pattern: On either side of the note, printed shapes align perfectly to display “1000” when viewed against the light.
UV Feature: Under UV light, the 1000 SEK note reveals glowing security fibers, bright fluorescent three-crown symbols, all of which are invisible under normal lighting.

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