50 korun 1953

Common. The eBay price history provided demonstrates consistent market activity across multiple condition grades (ranging from $6.99 to $190.50 for exceptional grades over a 15-year period), with PMG 67 examples selling in the $17.50-$33.00 range in recent decades. These relatively modest prices for a nearly 75-year-old banknote in high grades, combined with catalog values of $22.50 for UNC specimens, indicate this note was produced in substantial quantities and remains readily available to collectors. The regular issue designation and series variety (A, B prefixes with replacement Z prefix notes) further support common status.

Issued by the State Bank of Czechoslovakia (Československá Socialistická Republika) in 1953, during the early Cold War period when Czechoslovakia was under Soviet influence as part of the Eastern Bloc. The note's classical female allegorical figure represents Socialist ideals of labor and progress, while the reverse's depiction of Banská Bystrica—an important industrial and cultural center in Slovakia—reflects the regime's emphasis on national economic development and regional pride within the federated republic. The inscription affirming that banknotes are backed by gold and state assets reflects the monetary policy standards of the era.

The obverse features a classical female allegorical figure representing Socialist ideals, positioned on the left side in flowing robes and holding a torch or staff as a symbol of enlightenment and progress. This figure is surrounded by ornamental framing with decorative heraldic medallions and shields featuring the coat of arms of Czechoslovakia. The reverse depicts a detailed landscape scene of Banská Bystrica (known historically as Neusohl in German or Besztercebánya in Hungarian), showing the town nestled in a valley with snow-capped mountains in the background, a prominent church or cathedral with a distinctive steeple as the focal point, a river in the foreground, and numerous period buildings throughout the settlement. The design demonstrates the regime's celebration of both Socialist ideological values and the cultural heritage of the Slovak region. Both sides employ intricate line work and fine engraving characteristic of high-quality security printing.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANKOVKA STÁTNEJ BANKY ČESKOSLOVENSKEJ' (Slovak) / 'BANKOVKA STÁTNÍ BANKY ČESKOSLOVENSKÉ' (Czech) = 'Banknote of the State Bank of Czechoslovakia'; 'PÄŤDESIAT KORÚN' (Slovak) / 'PADESÁT KORÚN ČESKOSLOVENSKÝCH' (Czech) = 'Fifty Korun of Czechoslovakia'; Serial number: 'BD 778715'; Year: '1953'; Denomination: '50'. BACK SIDE: 'BANKOVKY SÚ KRYTÝ ZLATOM A OSTATNÝM AKTIVAMI STÁTNEJ BANKY ČESKOSLOVENSKEJ' (Slovak) / 'BANKOVKY JSOU KRYTÝ ZLATEM A OSTATNÝM AKTÍVNY STÁTNEJ BANKY ČESKOSLOVENSKEJ' (Czech) = 'Banknotes are covered by gold and other assets of the State Bank of Czechoslovakia'; Denomination: '50'; Reference to bank office/branch designation.

Intaglio engraving with sophisticated line-work security patterns. Based on catalog references, this note was produced by either Gosnak (the Russian state security printer in Moscow, indicated by series prefix designations) or Tisk in Prague (TB prefix). The fine detail visible in both the allegorical figure and the landscape scene, combined with the complex heraldic and ornamental elements, indicates professional intaglio production typical of mid-20th century Eastern Bloc currency printing.

This specimen is graded as Pick 85a, representing the standard 1953 issue of the 50 Korun note. The note exhibits series prefix 'BD' on the observed serial number 'BD 778715'. Known varieties include regular series with A and B prefixes (printed by Gosnak Moscow or TB Prague) and replacement notes marked with Z prefix. The specific printer and series designation can be identified through the series letter prefix; this example's 'BD' prefix would require verification against cataloged prefix ranges to determine the exact printer. No overprints or date variations are evident on this example.