50 korun 1945
“prison money”
About This Note
A fascinating piece of Czechoslovak prison camp currency from 1945, this 50 korun note from the Jachymovske Doly (Jáchymov Mines) features an elegant green color scheme with an intricate repeating geometric pattern as its security design. The reverse displays two large circular medallions with decorative borders and corner ornaments, presenting in exceptional uncirculated condition with crisp, clear printing throughout—a remarkable survival from this historically significant but ephemeral monetary system.
Rare. Prison camp currency from World War II Czechoslovakia, particularly from specific facilities like Jachymovske Doly, was issued in extremely limited quantities for internal use only. Most such notes were destroyed post-war, making survivor examples in uncirculated condition exceptionally scarce. This Pick-unlisted designation indicates it has not achieved broad catalog recognition, further suggesting very limited circulation and survival.
This note was issued by the Jachymovske Doly Prison Camp in Horní Slavkov during 1945, representing a unique monetary system used within the camp economy during the final months of World War II in Czechoslovakia. The designation as a 'National Enterprise' (Národní Podnik) on the reverse reflects the post-Munich Czech administrative framework, while the specific reference to the mining operations at Jáchymov connects to the region's long history of mineral extraction and the camp's forced labor operations.
The reverse features a sophisticated geometric security pattern consisting of small interlocking diamond and cross-shaped elements arranged in a dense grid across a green background. Two large circular medallions occupy the center, bordered by decorative frames containing the issuer and location information. Corner ornaments display the denomination '50' prominently in the top corners with complementary circular elements in all four corners, creating a balanced, formal design typical of institutional currency from the era. The front side appears to have minimal printed content or remains unillustrated.
Back/Reverse Side: 'SACHYMOVSKÉ DOLY' (Jáchymov Mines), 'NÁRODNÍ PODNIK' (National Enterprise), 'HORNÍ SLAVKOV' (Upper Slavkov - the location), '50' (denomination in korun). Note: 'Sachymovské' appears to be a variant or historical transliteration of Jáchymov/Jachymov.
The note exhibits characteristics of letterpress or intaglio printing, evidenced by the crisp, fine detail of the repeating geometric pattern and the sharp definition of the circular medallion borders. The precision of the interlocking pattern elements and the clarity of the text suggest professional printing technology available to institutional authorities in 1945 Czechoslovakia, likely produced under German occupation controls or immediate post-liberation Czech authorities.
As a Pick-unlisted issue, this note may represent an undocumented or inadequately cataloged variety of Czechoslovak prison camp money. No serial numbers, signatures, or date variants are visible in the provided images. The specific issuer designation 'Jachymovske Doly' and location 'Horní Slavkov' appear consistent across the note, with no evident overprints or secondary markings indicating multiple varieties of this particular denomination.
