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The faces on the banknote were Marta Cisáriková and Margita Hlaváčiková.
This koruna was valid for an incredible 27 years
On the paper banknote that represented ten koruna in Czechoslovakia, two young girls were depicted.
These now-adult women recently met and discussed the making of the banknote. The author of the banknote is the painter Marie Medvecká. She comes from Tvrdošín, where she has a gallery. She painted the girls when they were both ten years old. Marta and Margita were inseparable friends, even though their lives went in different directions. Margita lives in Trstené. She moved there because her husband comes from there. Marta remained in Tvrdošín.
The girls recalled the moment when the painter captured them
It wasn’t easy for the children. They couldn’t imagine spending part of their childhood in a studio. They wanted to spend free afternoons outside and play with others. They recalled that the painter had to bribe them with sweets to make them sit a little longer. It also had its bright side. Sometimes he would pick them up from school so he could work with them, or he would give them a little money for their patience. The drawing on the banknote, of course, had to be approved. The Ministry of Finance in Prague approved it and the design went straight to the printer.
The girls admitted that, in their view, their proud parents are the happiest
The girl with the scarf represents the old Sirotek. She has a scarf on her head because Margita had short hair. The other girl in pioneer dress with long braided hair represents the coming of a new era.
The painter spent an incredible two years capturing their likeness
An important detail is that Marta is holding a brush, which few people notice because it is shaded by pollinating flowers. The girls constantly played together as children. The painter knew them well, and perhaps that is why he chose them as the faces of the banknote. Marta and Margita are still well known today and enjoy the interest of collectors. Slovaks and Czechs request autographs. Some requesters also send them a stamp in an envelope so they don’t have to pay for the return themselves.
Both sign with their maiden surnames.
