Half-ounce gold medal from the Czech Mint pays tribute to the iconic Aero 30 passenger car.

During the First Republic, the Czechoslovak company Aero was a leading manufacturer of aircraft, but demand in this sector was volatile, so the Prague factory decided to launch a related production of cars. The Aero 30 became the flagship of the automotive division. It was unveiled in 1934 at the Prague Spring Motor Show, where it proved a real crowd-puller. The Great Depression was drawing to a close and members of the middle class longed for a prestigious means of transport that would not ruin them financially. The Aero 30 also performed excellently in motor races and travelled all over the world. It set off on an expedition to Loch Ness in Scotland and proved its mettle on a ten-thousand-kilometre journey across the roads and rough terrain of the Soviet Union. Although it did not discover the Loch Ness Monster, it did bring a bear cub all the way from Georgia to Prague Zoo. Aerovka also did not hesitate to take on the railways. An advert highlighting the car’s merits stated that the ‘Thirty’ had no timetable, travelled faster than an express train and carried only select passengers. Understandably, the management of ČSD (Czechoslovak State Railways) took offence and took the car manufacturer to court. A comparative test drive was then carried out under official supervision on the route from Prague to Bratislava and back. The train ran exactly to schedule, but the convoy of Aerovas arrived at their destination first. Despite the lack of a motorway, all the advertising claims were confirmed, and the Aerova drivers had enough time during the test to take the members of the judicial commission out to a meadow where refreshments were served… Over the years, the Aerovek design was modernised to a greater or lesser extent, and a whole range of variants gradually emerged – two-seater roadsters, four-seater saloons, convertibles, semi-convertibles and estate cars, as well as box vans and flatbed lorries. Total production reached 7,425 units, and many of them continue to bring joy to their owners to this day. The red Aerovec’s immortality was also secured by a popular song…

While the obverse side of the medal features a front view of the car, the reverse side depicts the rear of the car with the roof down. The design of both sides of the medal is further enhanced by a whole host of authentic details – technical drawings, a gear-selection diagram and the car manufacturer’s logo. All this is the work of the medal maker Petra Brodská, DiS.

The medal is being issued in a limited edition of just 99 pieces. Each piece is numbered on the edge.