National Bank for Bohemia and Moravia in Prague
The National Bank for Bohemia and Moravia in Prague (Národní banka pro Čechy a Moravu v Praze) operated under occupation as a controlled monetary authority, notably tied to the German Reich through enforced parity and regulatory oversight.
Quick Facts
Country: Bohemia and Moravia
Currency: Bohemia and Moravia Koruna
Local name: Národní banka pro Čechy a Moravu v Praze
Institutional Identity
The National Bank for Bohemia and Moravia in Prague functioned as the issuing authority of the Protectorate koruna within a system subordinated to Nazi economic policy, including a fixed exchange rate of 1 Reichsmark to 10 koruna. It oversaw a dual-language monetary framework, where all banknote inscriptions were issued in German and Czech, reflecting institutional directives imposed by the occupying administration while maintaining operational continuity of the domestic banking system.
Historical Evolution
Established in 1939 after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the bank initially relied on overprinted Czechoslovak banknotes as an immediate monetary solution, marking the transition into the Protectorate system. Its operations were carried out through the existing high-security Prague printing works (Tiskárna bankovek Národní banky Československé), preserving technical excellence and engraving quality despite the political transformation. The institution remained active until the end of the occupation in 1945.
Design Philosophy
Banknote issuance was defined by strict symbolic restrictions, prohibiting the use of national figures and state emblems, and replacing them with neutral themes such as rural life, craftsmanship and allegorical figures. While design approval was externally controlled, the execution retained the precision and stylistic discipline of Czech engraving traditions, creating a distinct tension between imposed authority and preserved technical identity.
For collectors
For collectors, banknotes issued by the National Bank for Bohemia and Moravia in Prague offer a uniquely layered field where bilingual inscriptions, enforced currency parity and overprint origins intersect with exceptional print quality, making them a compelling study of occupation-era monetary systems.