...Czech Republic - 100, 500 And 1000 Koruna Provisional Issues 1993 with Adhesive Stamps

Ceska Republika

(The Czech Republic)

Ceska Narodni Banka

(Czech National Bank - ČNB)

Currency - Koruna (CZK)

 

Posted below are three notes of 100, 500 and 1000 koruna all originally printed and issued between 1961 and 1985 during the union of Czechoslovakia. The three banknotes that I have posted here all have an adhesive stamp on the top left corner of the note and are considered as the first three notes issued by the Czech Republic following the breakout that split Czechoslovakia into two nations in 1993.

The dissolution of Czechoslovakia took place on 31.12.1992 when the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. To the locals, this separation is also known as Velvet Divorce, just like the 1989 Velvet Revolution (a.k.a. Gentle Revolution) which ended the country's one-party communist rule. 

 

I believe the discussion for separation by politicians first started in early 1992, despite opinion polls on both sides were in favor of the union to be continued.

 

Following the separation, the old Czechoslovakia koruna continues to be used in both countries, however, the new Czech government was worried that this may cause some forms of economic losses and on 02.02.1993, the government passed a new law to have new banknotes to be issued for the Czech Republic. As a temporary measure until new notes have been printed and issued, the government decided to introduce existing and previously issued Czechoslovakia notes but with an adhesive stamp over them. The three notes below were then released on 08.02.1993 as provisional banknotes until new currency is issued.

 

Whilst we all think that this decision was made after the separation occurred, it was reported that the Czech authority had earlier secretly prepared and printed the adhesive stamps for this purpose well before the separation came into effect. Only three notes were issued with the adhesive stamps but not for other lower denominations. Each stamp is printed with four small Roman letters on all 4 corners and an Arabic numeral in the center identifying the denomination of the banknotes to which it is then affixed to the note - C and 100, D and 500 and M and 1000. Obviously, the Roman numerals represent the value for each note. When these provisional banknotes were issued, each person was allowed to exchange up to 4,000 koruna in value and 1,000 koruna for those 15 years old or below. In 1993, new banknotes with new designs were issued and these three provisional issued notes affixed with adhesive stamps were then withdrawn from circulation on 31.08.1993 and ceased legal tender on 31.05.1994.

 

I am not sure why these three notes were selected for this exercise. I can understand that the government may not want to select notes that have images that are associated with the last communist regime. Given the short notice, the authority may also have to consider the availability of banknotes in stock to cater for public demand. I can understand the selection for the 100 and 1000 koruna notes. but not sure why they selected the 500 koruna note dated 1973. I wonder if the design on the front for the two soldiers are Czech/Slovaks or Russians. It should be noted that since 1951, this is the only 500 koruna note ever printed.

One Hundred Koruna

 

Signature - NA

Watermark - Repeated pattern of stars inside of the leaves

Date - 1961

Dimensions - 165mm x 79mm

Front - A couple of farmers with the woman holding a sheaf of wheat under her left arm. In the center is an Atomic symbol, and below that is a view of a factory and power station with smoke coming out of the two chimneys. For this note, there are a few variations mainly on the watermarks and different adhesive stamps used and different prefixes.

 

Back - A view of Charles Bridge across the Vltava river in Prague. This is a 516 meters long medieval stone arch bridge which was first constructed in 1357 during the reign of King Charles IV. The bridge was originally known as Stone or Prague bridge and since 1870, it has been known as Charles bridge.The design on this note (both front and back) are just beautiful. The note is simple and not overly designed with features, and looking at the back of the notes is like looking at a photo of the bridge in black and white colours. Modern notes are not designed like this anymore due to counterfeiting. This is just my opinion as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. If you have this in a bigger size, you can hang it up in your living room.

Five Hundred Koruna

 

Signature - NA

Watermark - Stars and leaves

Date - 1973

Dimensions - 153mm x 68mm

Front - Two soldiers both carrying Russian made sub-machine guns PPSh-41. This sub-machine gun was first put into service in 1941 and was intensively used during the last great war as well as the Korean war. To the right are Partisans of the SNP 1944 (Slovak National Uprising). These partisans were formed in 1944 to resist the German's invasion of Slovakia but failed as it only lasted for two months from August to October 1944. Above that is the view of a castle on a hill.

 

Back - The main design for this note is the image of the ruins of Devin Castle, which is located in the city of Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. This castle was built around 864 AD. To the bottom left is a medieval shield.

One Thousand Koruna

 

Signature - NA

Watermark - Stars and leaves

Date - 1985

Dimensions - 159mm x 68mm

 

Front - An image of Bedrich Smetana (b.1824-1884) who was a Czech composer. He is widely regarded as the father of Czech music. Flower in the center with the Coat of Arms over it.

 

Back - View of Vltava river with Vysehrad on top of a cliff. Vysehrad is a historical fort in Prague. This fort was built in the 10th century. The Vltava river is the longest river in the Czech Republic.

Collecting this series tends to give me some form of understanding and satisfaction about why banknotes are issued and because of this, I bought this set without hesitation. Getting this set is like getting a piece of the history of the Czech Republic. Instead of overprinting these with text to identify them as new series, the bank decided to place adhesive stamps over it instead. I am not sure why or which one is cheaper or more secure against counterfeiting. This exercise was not against inflationary measures but more of protecting the country's economy. I wonder if there are any pros and cons between the text over print versus adhesive stamp?