The current 500-krona note was first issued in 2001. Prior to that there was a 500-krona note with the same motif, but without a foil strip and see-through picture. The older note was first issued in 1989 and became invalid on 1 January 2006. Prior to that there was another 500-krona note with the same motif but with a bluer tone (instead of the current red tone). This note was first issued in 1985 and became invalid on 1 January 1999.
1. Portrait of Karl XI from 1682.
2. The Riksbank's first building on Järntorget in Stockholm.
3. The Riksbank´s motto in very small letters.
4. A foil strip with a hologram (three-dimensional image) showing the
denomination and three crowns.
5. A pattern that, together with the pattern on the reverse of the
note, forms an image showing the denomination of the note
when you hold the banknote up to the light.
6. Drawing of Christopher Polhem, the father of Swedish engineering.
7. Mathematical calculations from one of Polhem's notebooks.
8. Falu copper mine with one of Polhem's ore hauling plants.
9. The gear wheel is from Polhem's industrial plant in Dalarna.
Measurements: 82 x 150 millimetres.
The main motif on the 500-krona note is Karl XI, King of Sweden 1672-1697. The portrait is taken from David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl's painting of 1682 depicting Karl XI at the battle of Lund 1676. The picture on the note is reversed so that the king's face is turned towards the centre of the note. It was during Karl XI's early reign, before he came of age, that what is now known as Sveriges Riksbank was founded, in 1668. Behind the royal portrait you can glimpse the first Riksbank building, which still stands at Järntorget in Stockholm.
There are bands running through the note at different points with a very small text containing the Riksbank's motto
| HINC ROBUR ET SECURITAS (From here comes security and strength) and the text SVERIGES RIKSBANK 500 FEMHUNDRAKRONOR. (Sveriges Riksbank 500 five hundred krona). |
The reverse of the note shows a drawing of Christopher Polhem, the father of Swedish engineering. When he submitted his first proposals for technical improvements in Swedish industry in the 1690s, he received Karl XI's whole-hearted support. Karl XI and Christopher Polhem were prominent figures in Sweden's administrative and technological renewal 300 years ago. During 20 years of peace Karl XI put Sweden's finances in order and reformed the government of the kingdom.
Behind the portrait can be seen the large gear wheel from Polhem's industrial plant at Stjärnsund in Dalarna. Within the wheel are some mathematical calculations taken from one of Polhem's notebooks. At the far left of the note is Falu copper mine, with one of Polhem's ore hauling plants.
The idea behind the choice of persons on the banknotes is that they should both represent their own times and have significance for our times.