20 CZK #140

Front

Přemysl Otakar I (c. 1155–1230), King of Bohemia from 1198, who secured the elevation of Bohemia to a kingdom and obtained the hereditary royal title through the Golden Bull of Sicily in 1212. He strengthened Czech statehood and expanded Bohemian territory, making the kingdom one of the most powerful states in Central Europe. The note features the Royal Seal of Přemysl Otakar I from 1230, showing the king enthroned, which represents one of the oldest Czech state symbols.

Back

The St. Wenceslas Crown (Svatováclavská koruna), the Bohemian coronation crown commissioned by Charles IV in 1347 for his coronation as King of Bohemia. It is one of the oldest preserved European royal crowns, decorated with 19 sapphires, 44 spinels, 1 ruby, 30 emeralds, and 20 pearls. The note also displays the coat of arms of the Czech Republic with its four quarters representing Bohemia (double-tailed lion), Moravia (chequered eagle), and Silesia (black eagle on gold).

History

First series of Czech koruna banknotes issued following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on 1 January 1993 and the establishment of the independent Czech Republic. This 20 koruna note was part of the initial issue dated 1993 but with this specific 1994 series year variant. The series was designed by Czech artists and featured historical Czech rulers. These notes were gradually withdrawn from circulation between 1999 and 2008 as they were replaced by newer series with enhanced security features. The printer notation 'Státní tiskárna cenin, Praha' identifies the State Printing Works of Securities in Prague.