Norway's New Currency Takes An Artistic Turn The new currency design is set to roll out in Norway in 2017.

By Pamella de Leon

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

No, your eyes are fine and these banknotes aren't something out of Minecraft. Actually, it's the new Norway currency design, set to roll out into circulation in 2017. Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, released artistic currency motifs by two Oslo-based design firms, chosen among proposals from a competition. The designers were tasked with trying to depict the ocean in works of art as homage to the Norwegian national identity.

Norway's New Currency

Image credit: Norges Bank

The front takes a more traditional approach by presenting depictions of life at sea, designed by The Metric System and Terje Tønnessen titled Norwegian Living Space. It's a cool contrast to the pixelated colored seascapes on the back, a series called Ripple Effects by Enzo Finger. A bit of trivia? Besides the fact that the banknotes are a fusion of modern and traditional art, it has a surprise element that you'll notice only if you look closely- the higher the values of the banknotes are, the more abstract the pixelated artworks become.

Pamella de Leon

Former Startup Section Editor, Entrepreneur Middle East

Pamella de Leon is a former Startup Section Editor at Entrepreneur Middle East.

Now based in the US, Pamella de Leon remains supportive of entrepreneurs from the MENA region and beyond.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Money & Finance

5 Keys to Making Your New Year's Financial Resolutions Stick

Mindset is as important to achieving financial goals as making enough money.

Growing a Business

What Does 'Free Shipping' Really Mean for Retailers?

Know where you can take shortcuts, and you'll thrill customers with a great delivery deal.

Growth Strategies

Here's Why Your Company Should Strive To Be The 'Best Place To Work'

The better you understand the elements that make a company a great place to work, the better you can make your company a great place to work.

Leadership

Change Is Good: Entrepreneur Middle East Has A New Editor-in-Chief

Our consistent readers and our friends in the entrepreneurial ecosystem -both online and offline know us as the "real talk" medium. That transparency extends to shifts in direction and to changes in the existing team and setup.

Leadership

Busy Is As Busy Does

Instead of calling yourself busy, say you are setting priorities.