The twelfth silver coin of the Czech Mint from the series Armoured Technology commemorates the Soviet IS-2 tank that served during World War II.

In 1942, the Red Army celebrated success with its advanced T-34 medium tanks, but it did not take a rest. It was aware that the Germans were developing new types of armoured vehicles with better armour and weaponry. The answer to the German Tiger heavy tanks, the brand new Panther medium tanks, and modernized versions of the older Panzer III and IV medium tanks was the Soviet IS-1 tank in 1943 . The latest manifestation of the Soviet enthusiasm for heavy tanks resembled the KV series machines on which it was based in design, but differed in its use of cast parts that gave it a characteristic rounded shape. The heavily folded armour was exceptionally thick, but the 85 mm cannon was inadequate. The turret of the improved heavy tank, designated IS-2, was therefore fitted with a 122mm gun, which proved to be the most suitable for destroying German machines at long range. Soviet tankers with it were actually able to take out enemy Panthers that were 1,500 meters away, while the Germans had to close to 400 meters. What's more, a 25-kilogram projectile fired from a 122-mm barrel had three times the kinetic energy of a round from a 76.2-mm cannon, which was still the most powerful Soviet tank weapon in 1941. The IS-2 tanks took part in virtually all the battles fought by the Red Army on the road to Berlin. In 1944, at the Battle of Sandomierz, they proved that even the most advanced Nazi Tiger II tanks were no match for them.

The reverse side of the commemorative coin, which is the work of the medal maker MgA. Martin Dašek, presents two depictions of the Soviet tank - the three-quarter view is supplemented with a side silhouette. An inscription of IS-‍2 and a detail of the tank belt complete the composition. The stripes can also be found on the obverse side of the coin, which is common to the entire tank series. As the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary attributes - the national emblem, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2024.

The coin is set in a spectacular packaging in the form of a catalogue card full of period photographs, interesting facts and tactical data. Individual cards can be stored in a collector's binder that you can also find in the offer of the Czech Mint.