Commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the deciphering of Hittite by Bedřich Hrozný

Preparation of designs for the coin – competition conditions (pdf, 563 kB) – in Czech only
Technical preparation of the coin – competition results – in Czech only

On 3 June 2015 the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation a CZK 200 commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the deciphering of Hittite by Bedřich Hrozný. 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 in Czech “ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ BANKA * Ag 0.925 * 13 g *”. Normal quality coins have milled edges. The coin is 31 mm in diameter, weighs 13 g and is 2.25 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 depicts imprints of the four cylinder seals discovered by Bedřich Hrozný in ancient Kanesh in the left half of the coin field. The upper right half of the coin field features a composition of three heraldic animals from the large national emblem inside shields – the Czech lion is on top, with the Moravian eagle and the Silesian eagle below. Bedřich Hrozný’s signature is below the composition of heraldic animals, stretching over the second cylinder seal from below. The name of the state in Czech “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” and the denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “200 Kč” are located below the composition of heraldic animals. The mark of the Czech Mint, in the form of the letters “Č” and “M”, is located near the lower edge of the coin. The reverse side features a portrait of Bedřich Hrozný on a background of cuneiform text containing the sentence which inspired Bedřich Hrozný to decipher Hittite. Written on two lines at the right-hand bottom edge of the portrait is the text “VA-A-TAR...VODA…”. Written on three lines below the portrait is the text “BEDŘICH HROZNÝ” and “ROZLUŠTĚNÍ CHETITŠTINY”. The word “ROZLUŠTĚNÍ” is separated with a dot at the start and at the end. The year “1915” is to the left of the word “ROZLUŠTĚNÍ” and the year “2015” is to the right. The initials of the designer of the coin, painter Vladimír Pavlica – made up of the intertwined letters “VP” – are located at the bottom edge of the coin.

Each coin comes with a turquoise 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.