5 korun 1961

Common. This is a regular-issue banknote from a major Central European nation with significant print runs during the 1961 circulation period. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows consistent eBay sales ranging from $0.95 to $3.85 across various grades (F through UNC), with catalog values listed as $1 (VF) and $3 (UNC) as of 2019. The PMG grading population indicates this is a well-documented and actively traded variant. The high grade (68 EPQ) makes this specimen more desirable than typical circulated examples, but the issue itself remains common in the collector market.

Issued by the Československá Socialistická Republika (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic), this 1961 banknote represents the socialist period following the Communist takeover in 1948. The prominent coat of arms with shield and stylized lion on the reverse, flanked by wheat stalks, symbolizes the state's agrarian and working-class ideology central to socialist imagery. The bilingual presentation in Czech and Slovak reflects the note's circulation across both constituent republics during this era of socialist consolidation.

The obverse features an intricate ornamental border design with elaborate scrollwork and floral patterns in green, framing two rectangular cartouches containing bilingual denomination and issuer information. The reverse displays the State Coat of Arms of Czechoslovakia—a heraldic shield containing a stylized lion rampant—centrally positioned within an ornate circular frame and flanked by wheat or grain stalks symbolizing agricultural prosperity. The design employs fine-line engraving throughout, with consistent green coloring on a pale cream or light green underprint. The serial number prefix (AR, 3mm height) appears in red ink on the obverse center-bottom. The overall aesthetic reflects early 1960s socialist design principles with emphasis on state symbolism and national identity.

Front side: 'STÁTNÍ ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ SOCIALISTICKÁ REPUBLIKA' (State Czechoslovak Socialist Republic); 'NÁRODNÍ ČESKOSLOVENSKÝCH SOCIALISTICKÉ REPUBLIKY' (National Czechoslovak Socialist Republic); 'PĚT KORUN' / 'DATI KORUN' (Five Korun in Czech and Slovak respectively); 'ČESKOSLOVENSKÝCH' (Czechoslovak); Serial number 'AR 133635'; Year '1961'. Back side: 'ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ SOCIALISTICKÁ REPUBLIKA' (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic); Additional text partially visible at edges indicating issuing authority and denomination.

Intaglio engraving (copperplate printing), as evidenced by the fine line work, ornate scrollwork patterns, and detailed heraldic renderings visible in the visual analysis. The printer identified in PMG records is STC-P (State Security Printing Works Prague), a Czech state security printer responsible for Czechoslovak banknote production during this period. The use of multiple ink colors (green and red) and complex decorative borders confirms traditional banknote security printing methods standard for the era.

This note is cataloged as P-82b (Pick catalog), which represents the variant printed by STC-P with a watermark of stars in circles (repeated pattern). PMG records identify P-82b as distinct from P-82s, indicating at least two cataloged varieties exist for the 1961 5 Korun base denomination. The serial number prefix 'AR' with 3mm-height numerals is consistent with P-82b specifications. The bilingual Czech-Slovak text on both obverse and reverse is standard for this issue, reflecting the note's dual-republic circulation.