Smaller, lighter and nickel-free - why we are replacing our coins

In October the Riksbank began issuing new 1, 2 and 5-krona coins to replace the older coins. The changeover is expected to lead to more efficient cash management and less environmental impact. Moreover, the new coins are nickel-free. 

The new 1, 2 and 5-krona coins that we began issuing on 3 October are smaller and lighter, which makes handling coins more efficient. The new 2-krona coin means that fewer coins will be needed in circulation.

“Today there are more coins in circulation than are really needed. This is because a lot of people save coins, which means that they remain lying around in piggy banks and other containers instead of being used to make payments. It also means that the retail trade needs to order more coins to avoid a shortage. The new coins are smaller and lighter and we hope that more people will use them instead of letting them pile up at home,” says Christina Wejshammar, Head of the Cash and Payment Systems Department at Sveriges Riksbank.

For instance, the new 1-krona coin weighs 3.6 grammes, around half as much as the older 1-krona coin. Thanks to the coins being smaller, lighter and fewer, the total weight of coins in society is expected to decline by 50%, which means lower energy costs and fewer transports when delivering the coins to banks and shops.

Nickel-free and easier for visually-impaired

For banks and the retail trade, the new coins mean lower handling costs and an improved working environment. The coins are also nickel-free, which is good for those who are allergic to nickel.  It is one of Sweden's national environmental targets to reduce the use of nickel. The new coins, like the old ones, have different milled edges so that the visually-impaired can recognise them more easily.

Get rid of your old coins in good time

After 30 June 2017 the older 1, 2 and 5-krona coins will be invalid. The easiest solution is to use your coins to pay with, but if you have a large amount of coins, you can make use of myntkartan.se to find the nearest place where you can deposit your coins. 

Press office tel. 46 8 787 0200