Commemorative silver coin to mark the 450th anniversary of the birth of Jan Jessenius

Preparation of designs for the coin – competition conditions (pdf, 267 kB) – in Czech only
Technical preparation of the coin – competition results – in Czech only

On 14 December 2016 the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation a CZK 200 commemorative silver coin to mark the 450th anniversary of the birth of Jan Jessenius. 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 2.35 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 left half of the coin field on the obverse side features a diagram of half of the human body symbolising an autopsy. The diagram transforms into a sword as a symbol of Jessenius’ death. The name of the state “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” is written on two lines around the upper edge of the coin, with the front page of Jessenius’ 1601 work Notes on an Autopsy below. The denomination of the coin “200” is located near the left-hand lower edge of the coin. Underneath it is the abbreviation of the monetary unit “Kč”. The mark of the Czech Mint, in the form of the letters “Č” and “M”, is located below the abbreviation of the monetary unit. The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Jan Jessenius. The left-hand edge of the coin contains the years “1566” and “2016” separated with a dot, followed by the initials of the designer of the coin, the sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů, in the form of the letters “F” and “Z”. The initials are separated with a dot on either side. The text “JAN JESSENIUS” is located near the right-hand edge of the coin.

Each coin comes with a salmon-coloured 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.