Termination of validity of the 1993 versions of the 1000 Kč and 5000 Kč banknotes

On 17 August 2000 the CNB Bank Board approved a proposal whereby the 1993 versions of the 5000 Kč and 1000 Kč banknotes will cease to be legal tender as of 30 June 2001.

For the public, this means that starting 1 July 2001 it will no longer be possible to make cash payments for goods and services using these older notes. There will be an extended period for exchanging the obsolete notes. It is expected that all banks which provide cash services will exchange the notes for a period of three years (the exchange period will be specified in a CNB Decree currently under preparation). When this period expires - from 1 July 2004 onwards - the 1993 versions of both banknotes will be exchangeable at branches of the CNB. The period for exchange at the CNB has not yet been set, but is expected to last at least until 2010.

The 1993 notes are easily distinguishable from the 1996/1999 versions - which will remain legal tender - thanks to the following significant differences:

1. The 1993 banknotes of both denominations lack the graphic symbol ( 1000 Kč; 5000 Kč) on the wide blank margin on their reverse side.
2. The 1993 banknotes of both denominations lack the shiny iridescent strip ( 1000 Kč; 5000 Kč) to the right of the portrait on the face side.
3. The 1993 1000 Kč banknote lacks the linden leaf printed in optically variable ink in the upper central part of the face side.
   On the 1999 5000 Kč note the optically variable ink in which the hexagon with the lion´s head is printed has been altered. It is more visible, much more easily distinguished and changes from gold to green. On the 1993 version it changes from violet to green. The shape and direction of the lines making up the lion´s mane have also been altered.
4. The front-to-back register ( 1000 Kč; 5000 Kč), parts of which are visible in one of the upper corners of the banknote on both sides, has a different shape. The letters "CS" in the original register have been replaced with "ČR".
5. The paper of the 1996 and 1999 versions contains visible orange protective fibres ( 1000 Kč; 5000 Kč).
6. The year marking is different ( 1000 Kč; 5000 Kč).

Pictures of the 1993 and 1996 versions of the 1000 Kč banknote
Pictures of the 1993 and 1999 versions of the 5000 Kč banknote