10 korun 1945
“prison money”
About This Note
This is a 10 korun banknote issued by the Jachymovske Doly Prison Camp in 1945, representing a fascinating piece of World War II-era emergency currency. The reverse features a bold green design with a large denomination numeral '10' in a central oval frame, surrounded by decorative geometric cross-hatching patterns and corner denomination markers. The note is in exceptional uncirculated condition with no visible wear, creasing, or damage, making it a highly desirable specimen of this historically significant and unlisted prisoner-of-war scrip.
Scarce to Rare. Camp currency from the final months of WWII, particularly from specific labor camps like Jachymovske Doly, typically had limited print runs and high destruction rates post-war. The note's unlisted status in major catalogs (Pick catalog) indicates limited documentation and circulation among collectors. Survival in uncirculated condition significantly increases rarity, as most camp scrip was either destroyed, lost, or circulated heavily during internment.
This note was issued during the final months of World War II by the Jachymovske Doly (Jáchymov salt mines) Prison Camp near Horní Slavkov in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Such camp currencies served as internal exchange media within POW and labor camps, controlling the limited economy and preventing escape attempts. The designation as 'Národní Podnik' (National Enterprise) reflects the camp's administrative framework under Nazi-controlled Protectorate authorities, making this scrip a direct artifact of wartime occupation and imprisonment.
The reverse design centers on a large, bold numeral '10' displayed within a rounded rectangular frame, serving as the primary design element. The background employs a repetitive geometric pattern of cross-hatching or X-like motifs in green on a cream/off-white base, providing visual security and decorative interest. Circular denomination markers containing '10' are positioned in all four corners of the note, following standard practice for emergency currency. The obverse (second side) appears to feature watermark security elements with faint architectural impressions, typical of period printing techniques for camp scrip.
Back side inscriptions: 'JACHYMOVSKE DOLY' (Jáchymov Mines/Salt Mines), 'NÁRODNÍ PODNIK' (National Enterprise), and 'HORNÍ SLAVKOV' (Horní Slavkov, the location in the Bohemian region). These inscriptions identify the issuing authority, administrative status, and geographic location of the prison camp.
Letterpress or offset lithography, with evidence of geometric pattern printing typical of 1945-era emergency currency production. The faint watermark impressions visible on the reverse suggest the use of wove or laid paper with embedded security features. The quality and precision of the geometric patterns indicate deliberate security printing by a controlled facility, likely a Protectorate printing authority.
This note is cataloged as Pick-unlisted, indicating it does not appear in the standard Pick catalog for Czechoslovak currency. Specific varieties would be distinguished by: potential printer's marks or imprints (not clearly visible in current images), serial number sequences if present (not discernible in visual analysis), and paper type variations. The lack of visible date marking, signatures, or numbered series suggests this may represent a standard issue without dated varieties, though examination of the obverse watermark area might reveal additional identificatory details.
