The five-year series of silver coins issued by the Czech National Bank with a nominal value of 500 CZK commemorating famous means of transport presents its fifth issue. The coin with the year 2025, which was minted in quality proof, is dedicated to the Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainer.

At the turn of the 1950s and 1960s, the Warsaw Pact countries were looking for a jet aircraft to replace their piston-engine training aircraft. The Aero L-29 Delfín, the first jet aircraft designed and manufactured in Czechoslovakia won the competition. This was a huge success for Aero Vodochody. The next generation of training aircraft, the L-39 Albatros, took off for the first time on November 4, 1968, and became the most widely used aircraft of its type in the world. The two-seater training aircraft with seats for a student and instructor was designed for basic and advanced training. It allowed for the practice of combat maneuvers, ground and air target attacks, shooting, bombing, and flying in zero visibility. However, it also found use in the heat of battle as a light combat aircraft and could also engage air targets. Last but not least, it was ideal for aerial acrobatics. This reliable, durable, and undemanding aircraft was designed to operate without problems even from unpaved surfaces, so it is no surprise that it was chosen by more than 40 military operators in a wide variety of climatic conditions. Production of the Albatros was discontinued in 1995, with nearly 3,000 units produced. Hundreds of them are still flying in military and civilian service...

The commemorative coin featuring the Albatros was designed by academic sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů. The expert committee of the Czech National Bank particularly appreciated the "faithful depiction of the aircraft in motion and the view of the instrument panel". A special feature is the optical viewing element that runs through the entire coin and is therefore visible from both sides. This element takes the form of an aircraft instrument known as an artificial horizon. And that's not all! If you shine a laser pointer through the element, it will project the silhouettes of two Albatrosses onto the wall.

The Czech Mint in Jablonec nad Nisou is the exclusive supplier of coins for the Czech National Bank.