Silver Coin Jozef Dekret Matejovie - 250th Anniversary of Birth 2024 Proof

Jozef Dekret Matejovie - 250th anniversary of his birth

The silver collector coin issued by the National Bank of Slovakia and minted by the Kremnica Mint for 2024 in Proof quality, weighing 18 g, is dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Slovak forester Jozef Dekret Matejovie.

The reverse side of the coin bears a portrait of Jozef Dekret Matejovie, which complements part of the cross-section of the tree trunk, which is framed by the silhouette of a conifer. The motif is complemented by the denomination of the coin '10 EURO'. The description of the coin states the inscription 'JOZEF DEKRET MATEJOVIE' and the birth and death dates '1774' and '1841'.

The obverse side shows a circular cross-section of a trunk in composition with a silhouette of a conifer tree in which a seedling is placed. The motif is complemented by the national emblem of the Slovak Republic with the year of issue '2024'. The description of the coin states the country of origin 'SLOVAKIA'.

The edge of the coin bears the inscription 'THE PROPHET OF FOREST RESTORATION METHODS IN SLOVAKIA'.

Jozef Dekret Matejovie (12.7.1774 - 18.1.1841) was a Slovak forester who not only introduced the use of the saw instead of the axe in logging, but above all contributed to the preservation of Slovak forests by artificial reforestation of cleared areas.
In the 19th century, wood was the main building and energy raw material for the metallurgical industry in central Slovakia. Its extraction and processing were an important source of livelihood for the population. J. D. Matejovie realised the disastrous consequences of uncontrolled logging for nature and society and successfully changed the existing unsatisfactory practice. From 1809 onwards, he experimented with reforestation. He established the first forest nurseries and prevented the formation of holobars. He succeeded in promoting pan planting and actively carried it out himself.
Thanks to his work, at the beginning of the twentieth century, almost four thousand hectares of groves were reforested.