Commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Beno Blachut

Preparation of designs for the coin - competition conditions (pdf, 909 kB) - in Czech only
Technical preparation of the coin - competition results - in Czech only

On 5 June 2013 the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation a CZK 500 commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of opera singer Beno Blachut. 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 silhouette of Beno Blachut in the role of the Prince from Antonín Dvořák’s opera “Rusalka”. The names of some operas in which Beno Blachut performed are written inside the silhouette. The name of the state “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” is located around the left-hand and right-hand edge of the coin. The denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “500 Kč” are to the left of Beno Blachut’s silhouette. The coin was minted by the Czech Mint in Jablonec nad Nisou. Its mark, in the form of the letters “Č” and “M”, is located at the left bottom edge of the coin. The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Beno Blachut. The inscription “BENO BLACHUT” is situated at the left-hand edge of the coin and the years “1913–2013” are located at the right-hand edge of the coin. The coin was designed by Vojtěch Dostál. His initial – a reversed letter “D” – is at the bottom edge of the coin.

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.