The 200 CZK commemorative coin designed by MA Josef Oplištil to mark the 100th birthday of Otto Wichterle – Czech chemist and inventor in the field of macromolecular organic chemistry which he co-founded. Wichterle became famous for his discoveries and inventions that led to the development and spread of soft contact lenses, his other discoveries include the nylon fibre and many others.
Coming from a family of businessmen Otto Wichterle was very talented and his major interests were mathematics and physics. After graduation from the secondary school he continued his studies at the Chemical Faculty, got a doctorate, worked as a senior lecturer as well as scientist and researcher.
The obverse side of the coin features the denomination 200 CZK, Česká republika and legend: Soft contact lenses.
On the reverse side we can see the portrait of Otto Wichterle in profile, his name and dates of birth and death. On both sides the motif in the centre is sharp – symbolizing sharp vision with contact lenses, while the outer ring is out of focus -- on purpose, as if seen without lenses.