50 CZK #147

Front

Saint Anežka of Bohemia (Agnes of Bohemia, 1211–1282), daughter of King Přemysl Ottokar I of Bohemia and princess who became a Poor Clare nun. She founded a hospital and monastery in Prague, declined marriage to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and devoted herself to charitable works. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1989, shortly before the Velvet Revolution, making her a symbol of Czech spiritual heritage and national identity during the transition to independence. The note features the Sacred Heart symbol and text 'PADESÁT KORUN ČESKÝCH' (Fifty Czech Crowns) with 'ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ BANKA' (Czech National Bank), dated 1993.

Back

The coat of arms of the Czech Republic featuring the quartered shield with the Bohemian lion (upper left and lower right), the Moravian eagle (upper right), and the Silesian eagle (lower left). The design includes decorative Gothic architectural elements and ornamental patterns referencing medieval Czech art and architecture. The inscription reads 'SE TRESTÁ PODLE ZÁKONA' (Counterfeiting is punished by law) and 'PADESÁT BANKOVEK' (Fifty banknotes).

History

This 50 koruna note belongs to the first series of the Czech koruna issued in 1993 following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993 (the Velvet Divorce). The new currency replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par. This series featured Saint Anežka, who had been canonized in 1989—a powerful symbol during the peaceful transition. The note was designed by Oldřich Kulhánek and printed by De La Rue. This series was withdrawn and replaced by a modified series starting in 1994–1997 with enhanced security features.