In our country one would be hard pressed to find a true sports fan who didn’t know the name of Josef Kadraba. The embodiment of Czechoslovak football is among the most successful players in history and has therefore earned a place of honor on a proof quality gold quarter-ounce 10 NZD coin from the Czech Mint. This is the second edition in series of Czechoslovak football legends which will present 11 of the most distinguished figures of national football in the form of magnificent coins.

A member of the Club League of Scorers, Josef Kadraba was born on September 29th, 1933 and at the relatively ripe old age of 31 was an outstanding player for Slavia. Even though many players would be at the end of their careers at this age, Josef Kadraba was able to lead Slavia out of a crisis and back to the highest levels of competition.  He played a total of 114 matches with Slavia and the attacking trio of Veselý-Kadraba-Píša was entered into the annals of club history.

The fact that Josef Kadraba was born to play football is easily attested to by his 117 goals. During his career he played for Rakovník, Liberec, the Tankista military club, Sparta, Slavia and Kladno. He played on the team which finished second in the World Cup in Chile in 1962, where he netted a goal in the semifinal against Yugoslavia. In 1967 Josef Kadraba moved to Vienna and never returned to live in his native land.  He found a new home among compatriots with Slovan Vienna, first as a player and then as a coach. He stopped actively participating in football in his fifties.  However, he continues to enjoy matches of the Czech national team and meet with his former teammates.

The competitive success and engaging personality of Josef Kadraba is commemorated by the Czech Mint with a 10 NZD Smart coin of pure gold. The designer is MgA. Martin Dašek, who on the reverse created a faithful likeness of the famed footballer along with his signature and the inscription JOSEF KADRABA WORLD CHAMPION RUNNER-UP 1962 CHILE. The obverse of the coin consists of other attributes of the issuer along with a football in the shape of a heart – the symbol of the Foundation of Football Internationals, which helps financially support our former international football champions.

This series of Czechoslovak football legends is truly a heartfelt affair, evident in the exceptional interest in the first edition dedicated to Josef Masopust. Order the next addition to your football collection in time – this collector’s edition is strictly limited!