2 korun 1945

Rare. Prison camp money from World War II labor camps, particularly from Jachymovske Doly, survives in very limited quantities. The fact that this note is unlisted in the Pick catalog indicates it lacks widespread recognition in mainstream numismatic literature, further suggesting limited surviving specimens. Camp currency was typically destroyed after camp liberation, and specimens that remain tend to be in the hands of specialized collectors or institutions focused on Holocaust and WWII history. The UNC condition grade makes this example particularly scarce, as most surviving examples would show evidence of actual circulation within the camp economy.

This banknote was issued during 1945 by the Jachymovske Doly (Jáchymov) uranium mine labor camp in Czechoslovakia, which functioned as a significant forced labor facility during and immediately after World War II. The inscriptions referencing 'Československé Národní Podnik' (Czechoslovak National Enterprise) and 'Horní Slavykov' reflect the post-liberation reconstruction period when Czech territories were being reestablished as a sovereign nation. Prison camp currency served as an internal medium of exchange within the labor camp system, with inmates exchanging such notes for food, supplies, and services within the camp economy.

The reverse side features a prominent large denomination numeral '2' centered on the note. The background employs a repeating geometric pattern of interlocking X-shapes and dots rendered in green on a cream background, creating visual texture and deterring counterfeiting. Four circular rosette or spiral emblems positioned in each corner serve as corner ornaments typical of period banknote design. The overall layout is clean and symmetrical, with Czech-language text distributed around the central numeral. The obverse (front) appears to be blank or nearly blank, typical of emergency or camp currency which often featured minimal design on one side to reduce production complexity and cost.

Back side inscriptions: 'ČESKOSLOVENSKÉ' (Czechoslovak), 'DOLE' (Mine/Valley), 'NÁRODNÍ PODNIK' (National Enterprise), 'HORNÍ SLAVYKOV' (Upper Slavykov). The note identifies itself as currency of the Czechoslovak National Mining Enterprise at the Upper Slavykov location, which was part of the broader Jachymovske Doly prison camp complex.

This note was produced using letterpress or offset lithography, common printing methods for emergency currency during the 1940s. The crisp, clean appearance of the geometric patterns and numerals in the uncirculated example suggests professional commercial printing rather than improvised camp production. The two-color printing (green and cream) on what appears to be standard bond paper was economical yet produced a professional-quality result suitable for official camp currency.

As an unlisted Pick catalog item, this note represents the primary known variety of the 2 Korun denomination issued by Jachymovske Doly Prison Camp in 1945. No serial numbers or signatures are visible in the analyzed images, suggesting this was a standardized design without individual identification markings. The lack of Pick catalog listing and absence of documented varieties in mainstream numismatic references indicates this note type has received limited scholarly attention, making detailed variety documentation unavailable. Future research may reveal additional denominations or varieties from this issuer.