The 2026 5,000 Czech Koruna Commemorative Banknote: First Holographic Overprint in Czech History

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Czech National Bank (Česká národní banka, ČNB) is putting into circulation a 5,000 Czech koruna (CZK) banknote with a holographic overprint to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Národní banka Československá (NBČ), the first independent central bank of Czechoslovakia. To avoid confusion, it is important to clarify: this is not a new banknote design, but rather the 5,000 koruna note already in circulation (2023 model) that has been applied with a commemorative overprint using hot stamping, with a limited run of 200,000 copies.

If you are looking for the 2026 5,000 Czech koruna commemorative banknote with holographic overprint for your collection, at Iberoamericana Banknotes we offer verified authentic copies, with certification and secure international shipping. This article details everything you need to know.

Historical Context: 100 Years of the First Czechoslovak Central Bank

The Národní banka Československá was formally founded on March 21, 1926, at its constituent general assembly, and began operating on April 1 of that same year following the first meeting of its banking board. It was the first independent central bank in the history of Czechoslovakia, an institutional milestone that the ČNB has chosen to commemorate one hundred years later with this special issue.

As explained by the ČNB's director of communications, Jakub Holas, this new issue "continues the tradition of issuing banknotes in circulation with overprints, which began in 2019 (for the centenary of the Czechoslovak koruna) and in 2023 (for the 30th anniversary of the ČNB and the Czech currency)." With this third overprint in Czech history, the central bank reinforces an established practice of commemorating institutional milestones without altering the base design of its banknotes in circulation.

What is an "Overprint" (Přítisk)? A Key Distinction

To correctly understand this issue, it is worth distinguishing between two concepts that the ČNB itself clearly differentiates:

• Banknote with overprint (přítisk): This is an ordinary banknote in circulation to which an additional motif—such as a commemorative logo or graphic element—is added without altering its base design. It maintains its status as a fully legal tender banknote, and the ČNB does not sell it: it only exchanges it at its branches for other banknotes or coins of the same face value, without any surcharge.
• Commemorative banknote (pamětní bankovka): This is a special issue with a completely new design, created specifically to commemorate an event, usually in a very limited run and sold at a premium through specialized dealers, not directly at central bank branches.

The 2026 5,000 koruna note belongs to the first category: it is a real banknote in circulation, with full legal tender status, enriched with a commemorative element.

Design of the Holographic Overprint

The overprint consists of a foil with nano-effects, applied by hot stamping on the edge of the obverse of the 2023 model 5,000 koruna note. This is the first time holographic technology has been used in an overprint on a Czech banknote in circulation.

Elements of the overprint:

• "100 let NBČ" commemorative logo (100 years of the NBČ), designed by academic painter Jan Solpera, the same artist responsible for the typography used on current Czech banknotes.
• Two portraits of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia (one larger and one smaller).
• QR code, which links to the ČNB's thematic pages dedicated to this anniversary.
• Finished in metallic silver foil, with gradients of color tones.

A curious detail about the design process: the original overprint proposal also included a small portrait of the current ČNB governor, Aleš Michl, next to Masaryk's. However, after this preliminary design became known at the end of 2025, public reaction was overwhelmingly negative, and the governor himself intervened personally in the process to decide that his portrait would not appear on the final version of the banknote.

The overprint does not in any way modify the base artistic design of the 5,000 koruna note, which retains all its validity as legal tender.

Technical Specifications

• Denomination: 5,000 Czech koruna (CZK).
• Base banknote: 2023 model, without alterations to its artistic design.
• Overprint mintage: 200,000 copies.
• Date of issue: Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
• Exchange points: ČNB branches in Prague, Brno, Hradec Králové, and Ostrava, while supplies last.
• Method of acquisition: Direct exchange (banknote for banknote) for other 5,000 koruna banknotes or coins, without surcharge, exclusively at the indicated branches.
• Overprint technique: Foil with nano-effects, applied via hot stamping on the edge of the obverse.
• Overprint design: Jan Solpera.

Background: A Tradition of Three Overprints

This is the third time the ČNB has issued a circulating banknote with a commemorative overprint:

1. 2019: 100 koruna note (2018 model), with silver foil overprint for the centenary of the Czechoslovak koruna.
2. 2023: 1,000 koruna note (2008 model), with an overprint that included the seal from a 1993 banknote and the 30th-anniversary logo of the ČNB.
3. 2026: 5,000 koruna note (2023 model), with a holographic overprint for the 100th anniversary of the NBČ.

The two previous issues generated significant interest among the public and collectors, to the point that some of those banknotes were later sold on the collector market for several times their face value.

Numismatic and Collector Value

Several factors make this piece one of the most interesting in recent Czech numismatics:

1. First holographic overprint in the history of Czech banknotes — A technological milestone within the ČNB's own tradition of overprints.
2. Limited and officially verified mintage — Only 200,000 copies, available only through direct exchange in four cities, which has already generated media and collector anticipation in the Czech Republic.
3. Precedent of appreciation — The two previous overprints (2019 and 2023) came to be valued on the secondary market well above their face value.
4. Design anecdote with public repercussions — The withdrawal of Governor Aleš Michl's portrait after the controversy generated adds a narrative component rarely seen in this type of issue.
5. Full legal tender — Unlike a commemorative banknote with a new design, this piece is a real circulating banknote, accepted without restrictions as a means of payment.

At Iberoamericana Banknotes, you will find copies of the 2026 5,000 Czech koruna banknote with holographic overprint, individually packaged, with detailed photos of the obverse and the overprint.

Why is it Important for Collectors?

• First application of holographic technology on a Czech circulating banknote.
• Official mintage limited to 200,000 copies, with distribution exclusively in person in four cities.
• Continuation of a tradition of Czech overprints with a proven history of appreciation in the secondary market.
• Banknote of full legal tender, not a purely numismatic issue.

Why Buy the 5,000 Koruna Banknote at Iberoamericana Banknotes?

• Guaranteed authenticity.
• Competitive prices and attractive packages.
• Secure and discreet international shipping.
• Specialized support for collectors.
• Constant updates on new Czech and Central European issues.

Explore our section of Czech Republic banknotes and acquire your copy of the 5,000 koruna note with holographic overprint today. Do not miss out on this limited piece, the first in Czech history to incorporate holographic technology on a banknote in circulation!