Termination of validity and exchange of CZK 100 to CZK 2000 banknotes with thin silvery thread

The CZK 100, CZK 200, CZK 500, CZK 1000 and CZK 2000 banknotes issued in 1995–1999 are invalid from 1 July 2022.

The invalid banknotes are most easily identified by the width of the silvery thread – a security feature which crosses the banknote vertically. The thread on the invalid banknotes is narrow and does not change colour when tilted, whereas the valid versions have a wider thread which changes colour from puce to green when tilted.

The versions also differ in terms of the year featured on the face side of the banknote and some other security features.

The exchange of invalid banknotes will be possible at the cash offices of all credit institutions providing cash services and at all seven CNB regional offices until 30 June 2024. From 1 July 2024, the exchange will be possible only at the CNB’s cash offices for an unlimited period of time. Credit institutions providing cash services and the Czech National Bank must exchange invalid Czech banknotes free of charge, provided that they are sorted by denomination.

Only one valid version of each denomination remains in circulation after 1 July 2022 (except CZK 5000 banknote), which reduces the risk of the public confusing older, less frequently used, versions of banknotes with counterfeits.

Both versions of the CZK 5000 banknote remain in circulation, i.e. the version with a narrow silvery thread (1999 version) and the version with a wider silvery thread (2009 version).