Have you seen it?: Now you can buy one of the iconic red mailboxes
They have been part of the streetscape for over 170 years.
But now it is coming to an end.
At the end of the year, PostNord will deliver its final letter in Denmark, which also means the postbox is retiring.
PostNord has therefore chosen to donate 1,200 postboxes to Danmarks Indsamling, giving Danes a unique opportunity to own a piece of Danish cultural heritage while supporting a good cause.
From Monday, 15 December, it will be possible to buy one of the 1,000 postboxes that will be sold online. In January 2026, a further 200 postboxes will be put up for auction – including postboxes from selected locations around the country and postboxes decorated by a number of Danish artists.
About the red postbox
The Danish postbox was introduced together with the postage stamp in 1851, when 13 postboxes were placed in Copenhagen and later spread across the country.
The first boxes varied in size and colour, but from 1860 they became more uniform and red. The red colour is attributed to Louis Pio, who at the time was a postal employee.
In 1876, the characteristic postbox with the curved top and bottom-emptying design was introduced, and it has since been a strong national symbol – adorned with the crowned post horn on top.
How to buy a postbox
The postboxes will be sold through Salling Group’s sales channel, føtex.dk, from Monday, 15 December 2025 at 10:00.
All postboxes have been in use, and their condition will therefore vary. In total, 1,000 postboxes will be sold in two categories: Used with minor signs of wear (2,000 kroner) and used with more visible signs of wear (1,500 kroner).
In January 2026, an additional 200 postboxes will be auctioned – including postboxes from selected locations around the country and postboxes decorated by Danish artists. The postboxes will be auctioned in January 2026.