5 Czechoslovak koruna #153

Front

State note of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, 5 korun denomination. The ornate design features elaborate guilloche patterns framing the denomination in both Czech ('PĚT KORUN ČESKOSLOVENSKÝCH') and Slovak ('PÄŤ KORÚN ČESKOSLOVENSKÝCH'). The inscriptions at top read 'STÁTOVKA ČESKOSLOVENSKÉ SOCIALISTICKÉ REPUBLIKY' in both language variants. At the bottom, the text 'PADĚLÁNÍ SE TRESTÁ' (counterfeiting is punishable) appears on the left and 'FALŠOVANIE SA TRESĆE' on the right, with the year 1961 in the center. This design represents the socialist-era currency of unified Czechoslovakia, issued from 1961 until the monetary reform of 1970.

Back

Agricultural motifs symbolizing Czechoslovak agriculture during the socialist period. The design features stylized wheat stalks and hop plants within an ornate frame, representing the country's agricultural production. The inscription 'ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ SOCIALISTICKÁ REPUBLIKA' appears at top. Text at bottom in both Czech and Slovak warns against counterfeiting and states that the banknotes are legal tender marked for payment by all state organizations and individuals. This agricultural imagery reflects the emphasis on collective farming and agricultural development in communist Czechoslovakia.

History

This note belongs to the 1961 issue of Czechoslovak koruny, issued by the State Bank of Czechoslovakia during the communist period. The series was introduced following the 1953 currency reform and remained in circulation until the 1970 monetary reform, when it was replaced by the 1970 series at a 1:1 ratio. The bilingual nature of the note reflects the federal structure of Czechoslovakia, with text in both Czech and Slovak. After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, all Czechoslovak banknotes were demonetized on February 8, 1993, replaced by separate Czech and Slovak currencies. The 5 korun note was among the smallest denominations and is now common among collectors of Eastern European currency.