Czechoslovakia Republic
Československá Republika
Československej Republiky
State Bank of Czechoslovakia (Est.1950-01.01.1993)
Currency - Koruna (CSK)
Defunct State
Below are five notes issued between 1985 to 1989. This is the last of the Czechoslovakia banknotes series before the country split into two nations on 01.01.1993. The separation of Czechoslovakia was necessary as the two main groups of people, mainly the Czechs and Slovaks, are different ethnically and culturally. The separation was known as the "Velvet divorce", and it was done in a peaceful manner with no arm conflicts or loss of lives. It was reported that the separation was decided by politicians from both sides, without a referendum being called, despite that public opinion at that time was in favour of preserving the country as one. The division of assets was done on a two-to-one ratio in favour of the Czech republic, reflecting the population of Czechoslovakia back then. At the time of the separation, the Czechs and Slovaks combined accounted for two-thirds of the population.
In my personal opinion, this is a very beautiful set of notes (mainly designs on the back). As the saying goes, a picture tells a thousand words and to me some of the notes here truly fit that description. However, it is a pity that these notes are mostly printed in mono colour and not with multi colours that would have brought out the beauty of the designs.
Ten Korun
Front - Portrait of Pavol Orszag Hviezdoslav (b.1849-1921) was a Slovak poet, dramatist, a translator and also a Member of the Czechoslovak's parliament. As he was well known during his lifetime, today, there are many streets named after him throughout the territory of Slovakia.
Signature - none
Dated - 1986 Series P
Watermarks - Repeating star and leaf
Dimensions - 132mm x 67mm*
Back - An aerial view of Orava Mountains. The Orava Mountains is a range of small mountains located in the Zilina region of north central Slovakia. To the bottom left is a standing bird facing right.
Twenty Korun
Front - Portrait of John Amos Komensky/Comenius (b.1592-1670). It is believed that he was born in the district of Uherske Hradiste in today's Czech Republic. During his lifetime, he was a philosopher and an educator. As an educator, he introduced various educational concepts and innovations written in native languages with teaching based in gradual development from simple to more comprehensive concepts. He died at the age of 78 years old in Amsterdam and was buried in the city of Naarden, in the Netherlands. To his right is an image of a tree. In the center left is the Coat of Arms of Czechoslovakia and below it is a circular design with an open book in the center.
Signature - none
Date - 1988 Series E
Watermarks - Repeating star and leaf
Dimensions - 138mm x 68mm
Back - In the center left is the Tree of Life growing from an open book, with various fruit colours. To the right is a couple both reading from a book. Standing behind them is a ten-point sun shape releasing its energy. To the far left are Glagolitic alphabets, the oldest known Slavic script. There are about 41 letters or characters in the Glagolitic alphabets, and 30 differences of these letters are printed on this note. I wonder if there are any meaning or messages for these letters printed. Next to it, I believe are Latin writings. I do not read Latin writing either. In the top left is an image of an Atomic energy symbol.
Fifty Korun
Front - A portrait of Ludovit Velislav Stur (b.1815-1856). Ludovit Stur was a Slovak revolutionary, politician and an author of several books. He became a member of the Hungarian Parliament in 1846. During his lifetime, he was involved in the revival of the Slovak nation and is considered as one of the most important figures in Slovak history. To the center left is a flying eagle in hunting position and below it is an image of a mountain range.
Signature - none
Date - 1987 Series F
Watermarks - Repeating star and leaf
Dimensions - 143mm x 68mm
Back - A beautiful aerial view of Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia since 1993, from across the Danube river. This is a historical city and was first mentioned in the year 907. From 1563 to 1783, the city was the coronation site and the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. During this period, eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens were crowned in this city. The building in the top left corner is the famous Bratislava Castle. This castle provides an excellent view of the city and as Bratislava is situated very close to the borders with Australia and Hungary, it is also claimed that on a good day, you can see Austria and part of Hungary from the top of this castle. According to my Internet searches, the building on the right that has a spire structure (church tower) is the Havlat & Partners law firm. From afar, you can also see a tall building structure, and I believe this is the Kamzik TV Tower. This tower is located north of the city and is 196 meters tall. This tower was built in 1975. To the right is a cluster of grapes with the denomination value of 50 printed over it.
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| This is like a postcard from Bratislava city |
One Hundred Korun
Front - This note was issued to honour the late Czechoslovakian leader, Klement Gottwald (b.1896-1953). Klement Gottwald was a communist politician, a leader of Communist Party of Czechoslovakia from 1929 until his death in 1953. He was the General Secretary of his party until 1945 and then became the Chairman from 1945 to 1953. He was forced into exile to the Soviet Union in 1938 when the Czechoslovakia government banned the Communist Party. In July 1946, he formed a National Front coalition government with the Czech National Social Party headed by Edvard Benes (b.1884-1948). In the coalition, Edvard Benes served as the President and Klement Gottwald became the country's Prime Minister. In June 1948, Klement Gottwald became President when he overthrew the government with the help of the Soviet Union.
Signature - none
Date - 1989 Series A (issued on 01.10.1989 to 31.12.1990)
Watermark - Repeating star and leaf
Dimensions - 148.5mm x 67mm
This note was not popular among the population and officially withdrew from circulation on 31.12.1990, 14 months after it was first introduced (01.10.1989). This was mainly due to the changing of political scene in Eastern Europe at that time, first started with the fall of the Berlin Wall (09.11.1989) and then followed by the Czechoslovakian's Velvet Revolution which started on 17.11.1989 to 28.11.1989 (started 48 days after this note was issued). The Velvet Revolution finally ended the Communist's 41 years in power. It should also be noted that many people in the country would still remember how the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact invaded the country that ended the country's 1968 Prague Spring uprising reforms.
Back - On the back, this note features a few historical buildings around Prague, the capital city of Czechoslovakia since 1918 when the country was first created and then the capital city of Czech Republic following the breakup of the country in 1993. The main buildings printed on the back are as follows**: -
1) Prague Castle (built around 870) - The official residence and office of the President of the Czech Republic. This is also a tourist attractions with over 1.8M visitors annually;
2) Church of Thomas on Mala Strana - This church was built around 1227 by monks from Brevnov Monastery;
3) The Malostranske (Mala Strana Bridge Tower) at the beginning of Charles Bridge;
4) Church of St. Nicholas - This church was built between 1704 to 1755; and;
5) Hotel U tří štrosů (Hotel at the Three Ostriches) - This building was built in 1597 by Jan Fux, an Ostriches feathers merchant. In 1648, this building was damaged by foreign invaders and was then rebuilt in 1657. Since the construction of this building, it has changed hands several times. Renovations were done to the building and in 1976, it was then converted into a hotel.
Note ** - Information courtesy from Marian J of Slovakia.
One Thousand Korun
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.
Signature - none
Date - 1985 Series C
Watermark - Repeating star and leaf
Dimensions - 158.5mm x 67mm
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.
