CNB Silver Coins and Czechoslovakia
History of CNB silver coins
The Czech National Bank, as the central bank of the Czech Republic, issues both circulation and commemorative coins. Silver coins are issued to commemorate certain anniversaries or events. These include various anniversaries of the births and deaths of our important personalities or historical events that are linked to our country.
The Czech National Bank issues silver coins in two denominations, namely CZK 200 and CZK 500. Coins issued in the denomination of CZK 200 are smaller and weigh 13 g, while coins with a denomination of CZK 500 weigh 25 g. The individual coins are issued in two designs and in different issue sizes. The coins are minted in the Proof version, i.e. in top quality, and in the Standard version, i.e. matt.
Proof and standard coins are also supplied with a certificate of authenticity and proof coins still in the original box. Since 2011, the coins have been minted in 925/1000 silver and 75/1000 copper.
The Czech National Bank guarantees that the total mintage of both proof and standard coins will not exceed 30,000 pieces.
The history of these commemorative coins dates back to 1993, specifically to 15 December 1993, when the first coin with a face value of CZK 200 was minted. This was before the establishment of the independent Czech Republic. The coin was dedicated to the 1st anniversary of the approval of the Constitution of the Czech Republic. The second coin, already at the time of the independent Czech Republic, was a coin dedicated to the 650th anniversary of the founding of the Prague Archbishopric and the laying of the foundation stone of St. Vitus Cathedral.
The first coin with a face value of CZK 500 was issued later, on 2 November 2011, and was dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the leading Czech writer Karel Jaromír Erben. The next coin followed in 2012 and was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jiří Trnka. In 2013 it was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Beno Blachut, in 2015 to the 250th anniversary of the birth of Václav Thám and the last one was issued in February 2016 and was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovak National Council.
The coins were minted from 2006 to 2010 in a ratio of 900/1000 silver and 100/1000 copper. Since 2011 they have been in 925/1000 silver and 75/1000 copper.
Take a look at the chronological list of silver commemorative coins issued by the Czech National Bank.
