Silver coin On Wheels - LIAZ 110.55 proof
Silver coin On Wheels - LIAZ 110.55 proof
The product can also be purchased directly in the stores of the Czech Mint
On Wheels
The fourteenth silver coin of the Czech Mint from the series On Wheels pays tribute to the LIAZ 110.55 truck, which thrived on Czechoslovak roads and on the sands of the African desert.
The Liberec automobile plants were at one time the largest automobile industry in Czechoslovakia. At first, the name LIAZ belonged only to the company itself and the vehicles produced bore the Škoda brand. It was not until the early 1970s, when the cars were designed as brand new in North Bohemia, that they were named directly after the manufacturer. The LIAZ 100 series of 1974 responded to the demands of the customers of the time. When compared to its predecessors, it had a new engine, gearbox and axles. The modernisation in 1984 brought a folding cab and this version was referred to as the LIAZ 110. The LIAZ 110.55 served as reliable long-distance trucks, so it's no wonder it dared to take part in the Paris-Dakar Rally. The seventh edition of the world's toughest long-distance motoring competition saw two examples take to the start line in 1985. It was the first time that the Czechoslovak state authorities had ever given permission for such a thing. The modified trucks, which relied as much as possible on stock parts, passed at high speeds tests and in difficult terrain, but encountered problems in the race itself - in particular, undersized steering tie rods, which the crews tried to reinforce by, for example, welding on mounting levers. Despite the difficulties, the LIAZ number 627 and its crew of Jiří Moskal, Jaroslav Joklík and Radek Fencl finished the race and took excellent thirteenth place. It was a sensational success for the newcomers - all the more so as their car was designed for road transport. LIAZ trucks have also distinguished themselves in subsequent editions of the prestigious rally. The triumph for Jiří Moskal and the whole company was third place in 1987 and second place in 1988. Although the iconic brand disappeared in 2002, its successes on the road and in the desert cannot be forgotten...
The reverse side of the coin, which is the work of the medal maker MgA. Martin Dašek, is dominated by a depiction of a LIAZ 110.55 truck with the number 627. The additional motif of the relief is a map of the route from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. As the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the licence of a foreign issuer, which is the island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary elements - the portrait and name of Queen Elizabeth II, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2022.
The coin comes with a spectacular packaging in the form of a pop-up book which includes accompanying text and period photographs.