100 korun 1945 specimen

Common. This specimen note has appeared regularly on the secondary market, with documented eBay sales ranging from $10.55 to $27 USD across multiple condition grades from 2015-2022. The price range and frequency of sales indicate healthy supply and consistent collector demand at modest valuations. Specimen notes of major denominations from the 1945 Czechoslovak reissue are not scarce.

This 100 koruna note was issued in 1944-1945 by the Republika Československá during the critical period immediately following Czechoslovakia's liberation from Nazi occupation and the restoration of the independent Czechoslovak state. The baroque ornamental design and emphasis on geometric security patterns reflect the classical aesthetic preferences of early post-war Czech monetary design, while the specimen overprint indicates this was part of the official currency validation and distribution process for the newly reestablished nation's financial system.

The front features a formal baroque-influenced design with elaborate scrollwork cartouches in all four corners displaying the denomination '100'. The center contains a rectangular specimen stamp or overprint in the upper right showing a male portrait with '100' superimposed, indicating this note's official status. The reverse displays a large ornamental shield or crest-like design in the center, filled with complex geometric and organic patterns executed in fine intaglio line work. Both sides employ extensive cross-hatching and detailed scrollwork borders typical of high-security banknote engraving. The color scheme throughout is green on cream/off-white textured banknote paper.

Front side: 'ČESKOSLOVENSKO' (Czechoslovakia), 'STO KORUN' (100 koruna), 'REPUBLIK ČESKOSLOVENSKÉ' (Republic of Czechoslovakia), 'STÁTNÍ PŮJČKA' (State Loan), '1944' (year). Back side: '100' (denomination numeral). Note: The visual analysis recorded 'PADLANI SE TRUSTI' at the bottom, which appears to be either OCR error or partial/damaged text that could not be reliably translated from the image inspection.

Intaglio (engraved) printing, executed with fine line work, cross-hatching, and detailed geometric patterning. The primary color is green. The specimen overprint in the upper right corner appears to be an additional overprinted element applied after the main intaglio design. Standard Czech security printing of the 1944-1945 period, likely produced by the Czechoslovak state printing authority.

This is cataloged as P-53s (specimen variant) with watermark: Stars. The prominent specimen overprint and marking in the upper right corner are defining characteristics of this specimen variety, distinguishing it from circulated P-53 issues. The Pick catalog recognizes one primary variant for this base number; this note appears to be the standard specimen type for the 100 koruna 1945 issue.