We gratefully acknowledge numismatist Walt Jellum who provided most of the above images and the following background information.

It is believed that the first 10 serial numbers were set aside in sets and thought to have been retained by signatory of these notes, J. Nørve. Unlike the similar regular London 1944  issues, all of the above notes are watermarked with image of Fridtjof Nansen. He was a renowned Norwegian explorer, author, athlete, oceanographer, statesman, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Nansen also appears on the 5 Kroner starting in 1955 and the  10 Kroner notes starting in 1972

Serial numbered notes above 10 were remainders that were cancelled, overprinting SPECIMEN.

This was also done on the remainders of the second series as well as remainders of the 1944 London issued notes.  Some or all of these were presented in packets to a numismatic society in Oslo.  Most were coin collectors, so I bet they were not very excited as if they were coins. 

It does appear that very many cancelled remainder notes were involved.  They occasionally appear on the market but are often just described, incorrectly, as SPECIMEN.  The production may be still in a London bank or have been destroyed.  Possibly not many were actually printed as they would have been far better [higher quality paper and  printing] than the 3rd series of Norges Banknotes.

An interesting point, the 2 Kroner issued note shown below has the same serial number as the unissued presentation set above.

                     
             P.18  2 Kroner 1942                                                       Back