We commemorate the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Czechoslovak currency in 2019. On this occasion the Czech Mint issued a silver commemorative medal that is based on one of the most beautiful unrealized proposals registered for art competition of the Czech National Bank.

The Czechoslovak Republic was built on the ruins of Austria-Hungary on October 28, 1918. But it had to wait for its own currency. The Czechoslovak crown was declared the currency of the new state by the law of April 10, 1919. Austria and Hungary had to move to shilling and pengö after the catastrophic collapse of the modified Austro-Hungarian currency. The name of the old currency remained with another atribute in Czechoslovakia as the successor state of the monarchy. Paradoxically, it was thanks to Alois Rašín, who was sentenced to death by Habsburg justice during the First World War. Although Dr. Rašín was the author of the first law of the Czechoslovak state and contributed to the successful and peaceful process of October 28, 1918, we most remember him as the father of the Czechoslovak Crown and our first Minister of Finance.

The commemorative medal was made by the academic painter Vladimír Pavlica. The obverse side is dominated by the portrait of Alois Rašín in an unmistakable style with the signature of the minister. On the background of the obverse side there is a surface with a scalloped edge. The reverse side of the medal is dominated by the Czechoslovak fee stamp that was used to stamp the Austro-Hungarian banknotes after the Republic was found. The composition of the reverse side is supplemented with the heraldic features of the Czech Republic and the facade of the Czechoslovak National Bank with two statues and columns.

Do not miss a commemorative medal with a motif that was awarded in the Czech National Bank competition.