Commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Czech Astronomical Society

Preparation of designs for the coin – competition conditions (pdf, 442 kB) – in Czech only
Technical preparation of the coin – competition results – in Czech only

On 6 December 2017 the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation a CZK 200 commemorative silver coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Czech Astronomical Society. 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 of the coin depicts the heraldic lion from the large national emblem of the Czech Republic to the right of the centre of the coin field. The left part of the coin features a mirror image of the lion with a symbolic accentuation of the Leo constellation and its name “LEO” above the lion’s head. An orbit with the planet Earth interconnects the two parts of the coin. The denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “200 Kč” and the name of the state “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” are written around the outer circle of the coin. The mark of the Czech Mint, in the form of the letters “Č” and “M”, is situated in the centre of the planet Earth. The reverse side of the coin is dominated by a depiction of the Sun with the emblem of the Czech Astronomical Society and the years “1917 – 2017” in its centre. An orbit with the planet Earth is depicted in the outer circle around the rays of the Sun. Located around the outer circle of the coin is the text “ZALOŽENÍ ČESKÉ ASTRONOMICKÉ SPOLEČNOSTI”. The initials of the designer of the coin, Josef Oplištil, in the form of the letters “J” and “O”, are situated in the centre of the planet Earth.

Each coin comes with a black 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.