5 korun 1945
Market Prices
21 salesAbout This Note
This is a well-preserved example of the 1945 Czechoslovak 5 Korun (Pick-59), printed by the prestigious Thomas De La Rue & Company of London. The note displays the characteristic red-pink coloring on cream underprint with crisp, detailed engraving throughout, and appears to be in uncirculated condition with no visible wear, creases, or handling marks. The ornate design featuring a large rosette-framed numeral '5' on the obverse and the Czechoslovak lion coat of arms on the reverse exemplifies the high-quality security printing standards of the immediate post-WWII period.
Common. While this note has historical significance as a post-WWII Czechoslovak emission, it was printed in substantial quantities by Thomas De La Rue. eBay market data shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades, with UNC examples averaging $7-13 historically and recent VF sales in the $3-7 range, well below the threshold for scarce or rare notes. The 2016 catalogue value of $12.50 for UNC confirms this is a readily available note in the collector market.
This banknote was issued in 1945 as part of Czechoslovakia's currency restoration following the liberation from Nazi occupation at the end of World War II. The prominent display of the Czechoslovak coat of arms—featuring the heraldic lion rampant within a shield—reasserted national sovereignty and continuity of the Czechoslovak state after six years of Nazi domination. The use of Thomas De La Rue, a world-renowned British security printer, reflected both the international legitimacy of the restored Czechoslovak Republic and the practical necessity of producing currency through trusted external sources during the post-war reconstruction period.
The obverse features a symmetric design dominated by a large ornamental rosette pattern containing the numeral '5' in the left portion, with elaborate sunburst corner ornaments and fine decorative floral and geometric border elements throughout. The center carries the identifying text of the denomination and issuing nation. A signature line for the Minister of Finance and a serial number appear on the right side. The reverse presents a more formally heraldic design with two large numerals '5' flanking the central Czechoslovak coat of arms—a lion rampant within a shield, a symbol representing the historical Czech lands. Decorative floral garlands in the corners and ornamental laurel or leaf wreath elements frame the shield, emphasizing the note's official state character. Both sides employ the pink/red and cream color palette characteristic of this 1945 issue.
Front side: 'REPUBLIKA ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ' (Czechoslovak Republic), 'TATO STÁTOVKA PLATÍ' (This banknote is valid), 'PĚT KORUN ČESKOSLOVENSKÝCH' (Five Czechoslovak Korun), 'MINISTR FINANCÍ' (Minister of Finance), 'PADĚLÁNÍ SE TRESTÁ PODLE ZÁKONA' (Counterfeiting is punishable by law), with serial number 'UZ741405'. Back side: 'REPUBLIKA ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ' (Czechoslovak Republic), '5 Kč' (5 Korun), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED LONDON' (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving (recess printing), the standard security printing method employed by Thomas De La Rue & Company. The fine line engraving visible throughout the design, including the intricate geometric and floral patterns, the detailed heraldic lion, and the decorative borders, are hallmarks of high-quality intaglio work. The crisp impression and fine detail preservation in this uncirculated example demonstrate the superior quality of British banknote printing technology of the era.
This example appears to be Pick-59a based on PMG population reporting, which documents two variants (P-59a and P-59s) for this base Pick number. The specific variety designation (a vs. s) typically indicates differences in signatures or minor design variations. The serial number prefix 'UZ' and the signature of the Minister of Finance should be noted for variety identification purposes. No overprints or date variations are evident in this 1945 ND (No Date) issue.
