2020-10-10 Sat

Fridtjof Nansen was Norwegian explorer, oceanographer, statesman, and humanitarian who led a number of expeditions to the Arctic and oceanographic expeditions in the North Atlantic. For his relief work after World War I, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace (1922).

He led the team that made the first crossing of the Greenland interior in 1888, traversing the island on cross-country skis. He won international fame after reaching record northern latitude of 86°14? during his Fram expedition of 1893–1896. Although he retired from exploration after his return to Norway, his techniques of polar travel and his innovations in equipment and clothing influenced a generation of subsequent Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.

In the final decade of his life, Nansen devoted himself primarily to the League of Nations, following his appointment in 1921 as the League's High Commissioner for Refugees. In 1922 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on behalf of the displaced victims of the First World War and related conflicts.

Today we are looking at a 10 kroner banknote issued to honour him in 1984. The obverse has the portrait of Fridtjof Nansen (1861 - 1930) and the Norwegian Coat of Arms. The reverse depicts a harbour scene with cargo ship and cranes, and Nils Flakstad's sculpture 'The Fisherman' and seagulls.

Image Source: www.worldbanknotescoins.com