Silver Coin 500 CZK Tram ČKD Tatra T3 2024 Proof

Famous means of transport - Tram ČKD Tatra T3

On the reverse side of the five hundredth crown is a representation of the tram ČKD Tatra T3 from an oblique view, including the overhead line and the rail. The simplified colouring of the tram is indicated by the partial yellow and red gold plating on the coin. At the bottom edge of the coin is the text "ČKD TATRA T3", at the right edge the year of issue "2024" and the composition of the initials of the author of the coin, academic sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů, which is formed by the letters "F" and "Z".

On the obverse side of the five hundredth coin is a composition of a part of the side and front view of the ČKD Tatra T3 tram. The lower part of the coin shows a detail of part of the chassis. The text 'CZECH REPUBLIC' appears in the description on the top left of the coin. The denomination of the coin with the abbreviation of the monetary unit '500 CZK' is at the bottom edge of the coin. The Czech Mint mark, consisting of the letters 'Č' and 'M', is placed at the right edge.

Tatra T3

Preparatory steps to start production of comfortable urban trams according to the American PCC concept began shortly before the outbreak of World War II. By signing a contract on mutual exchange of licences, ČKD was to obtain documentation for the PCC electrical solution from the American company Westinghouse Electric. The PCC tram concept provided the best technical solution for the cars at the time with regard to transport capacity and passenger comfort. The war halted the incipient project and it was not until 1947 that the project was resumed.

In 1951, the first prototype of the Tatra T1 tram was produced, followed by serial production from 1952 to 1958. The concurrent modernisation of the car was followed by the production of the Tatra T2 until 1962.

In order to reduce the weight and lighten the cars overall, a new model was designed using laminates and plastics. The chief designer of the Tatra T3 was Antonín Honzík and the chief designer of the car's electrical equipment was Vladimír Zouhar. The design of the tram was created by industrial designer František Kardaus, who was also the author of the Tatra T2. The new body construction is steel with laminated front and rear face. In the interior, the original leatherette seats were eventually replaced by heated ones made of grey and red laminate. The hinged top of the windows on previous models was replaced with sliding glass.

The T3 prototype was first introduced at the Brno International Engineering Fair in the summer of 1960. Series production began at the ČKD Tatra plant in Smíchov two years later.

The first T3 trams were deployed in Prague, followed by 46 other cities in Czechoslovakia and abroad. Most of the cars are exported to Russia and Ukraine. On the other hand, export to Western countries was not possible due to the unresolved financial requirements of the turntable chassis licensor, Transit Research Corporation.

Until the end of production in 1997, 13,945 Tatra T3 cars were produced at ČKD Tatra Smíchov, making them the most numerous type of tramway worldwide.

Each silver coin is placed in a protective plastic capsule in a dark blue box. An integral part of the box is a certificate of authenticity issued by the CNB.

This product is part of the following product sets: