Commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jiří Trnka

Preparation of designs for the coin - competition conditions (pdf, 883 kB) - only Czech version
Technical preparation of the coin - competition results - only Czech version

On 1 February 2012 the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation the second CZK 500 commemorative silver coin from the cycle featuring prominent personalities of Czech culture. This coin marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jiří Trnka, one of the founders of Czech animated film. The coin is minted from an alloy containing 925 parts silver and 75 parts copper and is issued in two versions, normal quality and proof quality, which differ in surface treatment and edge marking. Proof-quality coins have a highly polished field, a matt relief and a plain edge with the inscription “ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ BANKA * Ag 0.925 * 25 g *”. Normal quality coins have milled edges. The coin is 40 mm in diameter, weighs 25 g and is 2.6 mm thick. As with any other coins, deviations in diameter of 0.1 mm and thickness of 0.15 mm are allowed. Upward deviations in weight of 0.26 g and silver content of 1% are permitted.

The obverse side of the coin features a rectangle containing a female elf from Jiří Trnka’s film "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in phased motion. The name of the state “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” is located around the left-hand, upper and right-hand edges of the coin. The denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “500 Kč” is below the depiction of the elf. Above the abbreviated monetary unit is the logo of the project “European Silver Programme”, under which the coin is being issued. The logo comprises a star located within the “€” symbol. The mark of the Czech Mint is located at the bottom edge of the coin. The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Jiří Trnka. Around the outer circle is the unclosed inscription consisting of the years “1912–2012” and the text “JIŘÍ TRNKA”. The coin was designed by Josef Oplištil. His initials, made up of the intertwined letters “OJ”, are to the right of the portrait.

Each coin comes with a green catalogue card containing a description and the relief of the coin.

The Czech National Bank sells its commemorative coins through contractual partners licensed to trade in numismatic material.