The Austro-Hungarian Empire, consisting of a great number of small principalities, kingdoms, duchies, was not accidentally ironically called the "patchwork empire." Unlike the same German Empire, within the Austro-Hungarian there was no community of language, history and culture between the peoples inhabiting it. The difference between the Slavs living in the Empire and the rest of the large country was especially pronounced. Hungary's withdrawal from the union with Austria in 1918 launched an avalanche of declarations of independence by numerous Austro-Hungarian state actors. Some states still exist, and some did not last very long and either they united with each other, or were absorbed by more powerful neighbors (I will not list them, because the names of some of them will not say anything to most readers). Coins of Hungary of this period are described in a separate review. Here I want to talk about the first coins issued by Czechoslovakia after leaving the Austrian Empire .
Czechoslovak Republic.
In November 1918, the Czechoslovak Republic was created, the first president of which was elected Czech sociologist Tomas Garrigue Masaryk.
Tomas Garrigue Masaryk
The first issue of coins took place in 1921-1923. Coins in 2, 5 and 10 halers depict Charles Bridge in Prague.
Charles Bridge in Prague
On 20 halers - a linden branch, a sheaf of wheat and a sickle, on 50 halers again ears of wheat and linden, only in different proportions.
KM # 1, 20 halers 1930, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1921-1938
The figure of a peasant woman was added to a sheaf of wheat and a sickle on a 1 koruna coin. It should be noted that after the Second World War, the release of the crown in such a design continued until 1992!
KM # 4, 1 koruna 1924, copper-nickel alloy, 21 million equivalent, years 1922-1938
In 1932-1933, a face value of 25 halers was issued, not containing any plots, only the traditional coat of arms of Czechoslovakia (Czech Lion and Slovak Shield) on the obverse and the face value on the reverse.
KM # 16, 25 halers 1933, copper-nickel alloy, 22.7 million equivalent, years of manufacture 1932,1933
5 coroons with an "industrial design" were produced all the pre-war time with a change in materials: copper-nickel (1925-1927), silver 0.500 (1928-1932), nickel (1937-1938).
KM # 10, 5 korun 1925, copper-nickel alloy, 16.5 million equivalent, production years 1925-1927
The senior denominations of regular issues of 10 and 20 kroons were issued in silver 700 samples. 10 crowns depicts a female figure sitting at a linden seedling, symbolizing the "Republic." On the left is a hammer and a wheel, on the right are a sheaf and a plow - symbols should symbolize the union of workers and peasants.
KM # 15, 10 korun 1930, silver 0.700, 5 million ex. years 1930-1933
The 20 kronor image also depicts a "union." Here, three men, holding hands, symbolize the union of workers (with a hammer), peasants (with a plow) and merchants (the ancient Greek god Hermes with a rod).
KM # 17, 20 korun 1933, silver 0.700, 2.3 M ex, years 1933-1934
In honor of the 10th anniversary of independence, a commemorative 10 kronor coin depicting President Masaryk was issued in 1928.
KM # 12, 10 korun 1928, silver 0.700, 1 MMex., only year of production
Later, in 1937, a commemorative coin of 20 kroons was issued in connection with the death of the first president of Czechoslovakia.
KM # 18, 20 korun 1937, silver 0.700, 1 million ex. only year of production
The republic lasted until 1938. Then began the German occupation in Bohemia and Moravia, and the pro-German rule of Joseph Tiso in Slovakia.