Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp the face of new banknote celebrating iconic goal

09 December 2023 , 02:00

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Dennis Bergkamp is the face of a new banknote including his wondergoal at the 1998 World Cup

Dennis Bergkamp was once the king of Highbury - and the Arsenal legend is now set to be honoured by having one of his greatest goals embossed on a new banknote.

The Dutch treasury have instructed the Royal Enschede printing company responsible for minting Holland’s currency to produce a unique eight-euro note. The banknote will include images of Bergkamp’s brilliant strike to condemn Argentina to a quarter-final defeat in Marseille during the 1998 World Cup in France as well as a portrait of the striker.

The first 10 notes will be limited edition, printed on paper made of 23-carat gold leaf - and will instantly become priceless collectors’ items when they are launched next Sunday in Amsterdam. It is a testament to Bergkamp’s standing in the country of Total Football that he is the first Dutch sportsman or woman to be given this honour.

Dutch banks have already been told to brace themselves for a flood of enquiries from fanatical Gunners supporters desperate to get their hands on a piece of football and notaphily history. Designers have used a revolutionary holography design that means the banknote will also be a piece of digital art. All notes will have a digital counterpart in the Metaverse.

They have been designed using a revolutionary ‘wavefront technique’ that enables owners to create a digital selfie with Bergkamp. It will also provide fans of the 54-year-old with a gateway into Bergkamp’s life and his experiences with clubs like Arsenal, Ajax and Inter Milan.

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