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COMMERATIVE COINS OF THE CZECH MINT
The Czech Mint mints a number of its own commemorative products with a foreign license. They are not only a legal means of payment, but also a collector's item. They combine the advantages of coins – i.e. the nominal value and a zero-VAT tax regime (in the case of gold mintages) with the advantages of commemorative medals, which have a limited schedule of issuance and colorful, artistically processed motifs.
The coins can be dedicated to domestic or purely global topics. Although they reflect mainly the past, current motives also appear on them - for example, Czech athletes.
Issuer
Foreign entities - specifically the Pacific island states of Niue and Samoa, but also Tuvalu and Fiji provide the Czech Mint with licenses for the issuance of commemorative coins. Therefore, as amended by act, the obverse sides of all mintages of this type must bear the relevant state requisites, which to some extent binds their form. In line with changing trends in minting and banking, other issuers may gradually increase in number in the area of commemorative coins of the Czech Mint.
Necessary elements of the issuer
The obverse sides of all coins of the Czech Mint must include the year of issue, the face value, the name of the issuing state and its state symbol. The coins of Niue bear the portrait of the Commonwealth monarch Elizabeth II (most issues until 2022), the national emblem (selected issues until 2022, most issues in 2023, some issues from 2024) or the portrait of King Charles III (some issues from 2024) and the face value expressed in New Zealand dollars (NZD – the island is loosely associated with New Zealand). Coins minted with the permission of Samoa also bear the portrait of the Commonwealth monarch, accompanied by the national emblem, and are denominated in Samoan Dollars (WST). The Tuvalu licence requires the portrait of the Commonwealth monarch or the national emblem to appear on coins and the denomination to be in Tuvalu dollars (TVD). The Fiji licence requires the national emblem and the denomination to be in Fijian Dollars (FJD).
Nominal value
The nominal value embossed on the obverse side of the coin represents the amount that the coin holder will receive if he or she requests its exchange with the central bank, which guarantees the repurchase of the coins. This is not a selling price – the price of commemorative coins is higher due to the material used, artistic processing and limited schedule of issuance.
Metal
Commemorative coins of the Czech Mint are minted from precious metals of the maximum possible purity - from gold marked as "999.9 / 1000" (in the case of selected older date mintages and from ducat gold with lower purity "986/1000"), silver "999/1000 "and platinum" 999/1000 ". This information is always stated on the certificate of authenticity and it can be embossed directly on the coin in the form of a hallmark.
Design
Most commemorative coins of the Czech Mint are marked with the term "proof". These are mintages made with the help of special polished dice, which have a mirror-shiny surface and a matte relief (this effect is usually shown as a dark reflection on the product photographs). Removal from the protective packaging will invalidate the proof quality of the coin - it will expose it to contact, dust and oxidation. Other mintages (especially of higher weights) are issued in the so-called "standard" quality. Their surface is completely matt, and therefore do not require increased care, but it is still not recommended to remove them from protective capsules.
Target group
When buying commemorative coins, the topic that interests the customer - collector or fan - usually decides. When creating the schedule of issuance, we consider lovers of history, historic events, great personalities, technology, warfare, architecture, sports, fairy tales, nature,… - in short, the most engaging stories from our homeland and the world.
Investing in commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is an interesting alternative for those who want to save their funds in precious metals, but also want to own something that has its artistic, collector's and emotional value, which will increase within the time and can many times exceed the value of the precious metal itself.
The possible increase in the value of the coin is mainly influenced by the quality of its processing and the strict limitation of the schedule of issuance. The fact that only a predetermined limited number of coins will be minted will mean that it may not reach all interested parties. The one who will miss the specimen in the collection will then be happy to buy it for an increased price.
INVESTMENT COINS OF THE CZECH MINT
The world's producers offer a number of coins (so-called "bullion coins") intended exclusively for depositing funds in precious metals - the Austrian "Wiener Philharmoniker", the "American Eagle", the South African "Krugerrand", the Chinese "Panda", the "Australian Kangaroo" and the Canadian "Maple Leaf" are the most popular ones. The Czech Mint decided to expand this offer with another mintage.
The Czech Mint has been minting its own precious metal products called “investment coins“ with a foreign license since 2017. These mintages - the so-called "Czech Lions" - are an investment tool in the form of full-value currency. They are classified as coins, therefore, they offer investors an advantageous exemption from VAT in the case of gold mintages.
In 2020, the Czech Mint opened a branch store in Bratislava, and on that occasion it began minting bullion coins called "Orol". Parameters of this mintage mimic those of the "Czech Lions", but a different motif is used.
The investment coins "Tolar" are in a similar spirit. Since 2021, their motif is the story of how the Jáchymov tolars became world-famous dollars.
Issuer
The issuer of the Czech Mint's investment coins is the island of Niue, which provides the Czech Mint with a license to mint its own currency. Therefore, their obverse sides must bear the legal attributes of this Pacific state, which is loosely affiliated with New Zealand.
Necessary elements of the issuer
The obverse sides of the Czech Mint's bullion coins feature a portrait of the Commonwealth monarch Elizabeth II along with the name of the state (Czech Lion and Eagle issue until 2022), the coat of arms of the island of Niue (Czech Lion and Eagle issue in 2023, Tolars) or a portrait of King Charles III (Czech Lion and Eagle issue from 2024). Other elements of the obverse are the year of issue and the face value expressed in New Zealand dollars (NZD – the island is in fact loosely associated with New Zealand).
Nominal value
The nominal value is the amount that the coin holder receives when he or she requests an exchange at the central bank which guarantees the repurchase of the coins. This is not a selling price - it is much higher for investment coins due to the precious metal used, top processing and limited schedule of issuance.
Metal
The Czech Mint's investment coins are minted exclusively from pure precious metals - gold marked as "999.9 / 1000" and silver as "999/1000". The hallmarks together with the indication of its weight are embossed on the reverse side of each coin. Coins of platinum or palladium were also created.
Design
Investment coins of the Czech Mint are minted primarily in the so-called "standard" quality (common quality). Their entire surface is matte, therefore, they do not require increased care when handling, such as mintages in "proof" quality, which is characterized by a mirror gloss and it is designated more for commemorative coins. In exceptional cases – mostly for collectors – bullion coins are nevertheless minted in "proof" or even "reverse proof" versions.
Target group
"Czech Lion" and "Orol" investment coins are available in a number of different weights, which provides the client with a possibility to easily regulate how much money he or she invests in them. Unlike commemorative coins, investment coins are issued periodically so that they are always available to investors.
Since the patriotic artistic processing of the Czech Mint's investment coins is changed from time to time, they also impress collectors. They also attract collectors thanks to an interesting schedule of issuance - while foreign investment coins count millions pieces, the schedule of issuance of "Czech Lion" and "Orol" coins is calculated at thousands.
COMMERATIVE COINS OF THE CZECH NATIONAL BANK
The Czech Mint was founded in 1993 and currently produces all the coins that the Czechs use on a daily basis. In addition to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CZK coins, there are also coins with nominal values of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 CZK, which are minted from gold and silver - the Czech Mint is their exclusive producer and seller at the same time.
The Czech National Bank's commemorative coins represent an attractive combination of collecting and investing, artwork and precious metal. They are one of the attributes of the state, so they add a strong patriotic dimension to the collection.
Issuer and its necessary elements
The Czech National Bank, i.e. the Central Bank of the Czech Republic is the issuer of Czech commemorative coins. Necessary elements of these mintages include state symbols or the name of the country, the year of the issue, together with the nominal value.
Nominal value
The nominal value represents the amount that the coin holder receives if he or she requests its exchange at the central bank, which guarantees the repurchase of the coins. In the case of Czech coins, it is quoted in Czech crowns (CZK). However, this is not a selling price - it is usually much higher due to the material used, artistic processing and limited schedule of issuance.
Metal
Gold commemorative coins of the Czech National Bank are minted from pure metal with a purity of "999.9 / 1000". The purity of silver commemorative coins minted since 2011 is "925/1000" (until then "900/1000"). In the case of kilogram silver coins, the purity of silver is maximal – "999/1000".
Design
Commemorative coins of the Czech National Bank are usually issued in two versions at the same time. The coin, marked as "proof", is minted using special polished stamping dice. The resulting product has a mirror-gloss surface and a matte relief (this effect is usually shown as a dark reflection in the product photos). Removal from the protective packaging will devalue the proof quality of a coin - it will expose it to unwanted external influences. The coin classified as "standard" (in common quality) is minted using stamping dice whose entire surface is matt. Therefore, these coins do not require extra care as in the case of proof quality, but it is still not recommended to remove them from the protective capsules.
Schedule of issuance
The coins of the Czech Republic are issued in accordance with the schedule of issuance announced by the Czech National Bank periodically every five years. Individual issues are devoted to historical national topics, therefore, contemporary or foreign motives do not appear on them. Currently, the Czech Mint mints coins with denominations of CZK 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 10000 in silver or CZK 1000, 5000 and 10000 in gold.
The CZK 100 silver coins have been issued since 2024 and represent important institutions of the Czech Republic.
The CZK 200 silver coins have been appearing since 1993 and are dedicated to important anniversaries from various branches of Czech history – culture, art, science, technology, warfare, politics, etc.
The CZK 500 silver coins appeared for the first time in the five-year issue plan for the period 2011 to 2015, when they were dedicated to important personalities of Czech culture. From 2016 to 2020, their theme was the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state. From 2021, they pay tribute to famous means of transport.
The CZK 1000 silver coins have been minted since 2026 and are themed around various sports.
The CZK 10000 silver coins are heavyweight issues minted from one kilogram of silver. In 2022, they commemorated the anniversary of the Greater Prague and from 2026, they feature major churches.
The CZK 1000 gold coins appeared in the modern history of the Czech National Bank in 2026 on the occasion of the anniversary of the National Bank of Czechoslovakia.
The CZK 5000 gold coins began to be issued in 2011 – two issues per year. The first five-year cycle was devoted to the ten most interesting bridge structures of the Czech Republic, the second to its most beautiful castles, and since 2021 the coins commemorate urban conservation areas.
The CZK 10000 gold coins – also known as ‘extraordinary issues’ – are issued irregularly on the anniversaries of truly major events. During the period 2011 to 2015, there were three issues that commemorated milestones in ancient Czech history. The period 2016 to 2020, during which 100 years passed since the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state, saw the issue of two coins with the themes of statehood and monetary independence. In the period from 2021 to 2025, the only coin of this type was issued to commemorate the jubilee of Saint Ludmila. In the period 2026-2030, the coins will pay tribute to Czech kings.
Throughout the history of the Czech National Bank, there have been other issues of coins made of precious metals. In the case of gold, these were two sets of four coins (CZK 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000) on the theme ‘Czech Crown’ and ‘Charles IV’ and two ten-piece cycles ‘Ten Centuries of Architecture’ (CZK 2000) and ‘Cultural Monuments of Technical Heritage’ (CZK 2500). Three coins combining gold and silver were also issued – on the occasion of the year 2000 (CZK 2000), the entry of the Czech Republic into the European Union (CZK 2500) and the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovak Crown (CZK 2000).
A special feature of the CNB's issuance plan is the modern Czech ducat. Although these coins have no face value, they are coins – so-called ‘trade coins’ – which continue the tradition of the St Wenceslas ducats minted during the First Czechoslovak Republic.
A unique chapter is represented by a gold coin made of 130 kilograms of gold, which was produced on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovak currency. The face value of the largest milled coin in the world is CZK 100,000,000.
Target group
Commemorative coins of the Czech National Bank offer collectors a cross-section of the Czech past in artistic processing. At the same time, it is an interesting form of investment in precious metals - the artistic component can compensate fluctuations in their prices and, in the case of silver, also the valu added tax burden. In addition to high-quality artistic processing, a possible increase in the value of the coin is also influenced by the limited schedule of issuance. Commemorative coins are minted in strictly limited collector's series and may not reach all collectors. However, the schedule of issuance of commemorative coins issued by the Czech National Bank is usually relatively large - it counts thousands of pieces.
SETS OF CIRCULATION COINS
The Czech Mint mints circulation coins for the Czech Republic only in response to its current needs. Therefore, all nominal values – i.e. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CZK - with the same year of issue are very difficult to collect. However, they always occur in collector's kits produced by the Czech Mint with the approval of the Czech National Bank.
Sets with motifs of the Czech Republic and its regions are issued regularly, while others appear exceptionally on the occasion of important sports events. A set intended for newborn babies is also published every year. In each set there are six valid coins which are more gentle than circulation coins and which have not been circulated, together with a thematic commemorative token. Luxury sets of coins minted in extraordinary quality proof are also regularly issued. These are supplemented with a silver commemorative medal instead of a token.
Issuer and its necessary elements
The Czech National Bank – i.e. the central bank of the Czech Republic is the issuer of Czech circulation coins. The Czech Mint from Jablonec nad Nisou is their exclusive producer. Necessary elements of Czech circulation coins include the state symbol in the form of a two-tailed lion, the name of the country, the year of issue, together with the nominal value.
Nominal value
The nominal value of Czech circulation coins is quoted in Czech crowns (CZK). Unlike commemorative coins, they correspond exactly to their value in the exchange process.
Metal
Circulation coins are minted from so-called base metals, so unlike gold and silver coins there is zero purity. The exact chemical composition of the individual circulation coins is then stated in each packaging in which they are stored.
Design
The surface of ordinary circulation coins is matte - this is the so-called quality "standard" (or common quality). In exceptional cases, however, there are coins in quality "proof" that are minted using special polished stamping dice. These coins with a mirror-gloss surface and a matte relief do not circulate, because human touch would devalue them. They are intended for collecting and representation purposes.
Target group
The sets of circulation coins of the Czech Republic are intended primarily for collectors, whose goal is to create comprehensive collections dedicated to the national currency. Thanks to the thematic packaging and commemorative mintages that are part of them, however, they also serve as an original gift or souvenir.
