3 euro - 20th anniversary of Slovenia's independence

Based on the Slovenian nation's right to self determination, more than 88% of Slovenes voted for a sovereign and independent Slovenia at a referendum held in December 1990. This decision was followed by events that represented a breakthrough in the history of the Slovenian nation.

Slovenia became a sovereign and independent country on 25 June 1991, when the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Basic Constitutional Charter on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia, the constitutional act for its implementation and the Declaration of Independence. With these documents, Slovenia assumed the responsibilities of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the territory of Slovenia, recognised existing borders, and guaranteed the protection of the human rights of all citizens and minority groups, as well as the special protection set out in international treaties. Slovenia also introduced its own currency, the tolar, on 8 October 1991 with the Monetary Unit of the Republic of Slovenia Act. Independent Slovenia's first constitution was adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia on 23 December 1991.

Slovenia joined the international community, and was accepted as the 176th member of the United Nations in May 1992. In March 2004 Slovenia became a member of NATO and a European Union Member State in May 2004. The euro became Slovenia's legal tender on 1 January 2007, following the fulfilment of convergence criteria and the adoption of the Euro Introduction Act. Slovenia is a signatory of the Schengen Agreement, which it began implementing at land and sea border crossings in December 2007.

Over the last 20 years, Slovenia has undertaken a challenging journey to build a new political and economic system, and establish itself on the world stage. To commemorate this anniversary, Slovenia is issuing collector coins depicting three summits representing Mount Triglav, the most distinctive symbol of Slovenia.