200 korun – 600th anniversary - Construction of the Astronomical Clock in Prague's Old Town

On 17 March 2010, the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation a new commemorative silver 200 Kč coin to mark the 600th anniversary of the construction of a major Prague landmark – the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square. The coin is minted from an alloy containing 900 parts silver and 100 parts copper and is issued in two versions, normal quality and proof quality, which differ in surface treatment and edge marking. Proof-quality coins have highly a polished field, a matt relief and a plain edge with the inscription “ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ BANKA * Ag 0.900 * 13 g *”. Normal quality coins have milled edges. The coin is 31 mm in diameter, weighs 13 g and is 2.3 mm thick. As with any other coins, deviations in diameter of 0.1 mm and thickness of 0.15 mm are allowed. Upward deviations in weight of 0.26 g and silver content of 1% are permitted.

The obverse of the coin features four figures of the Apostles from the Astronomical Clock, which are located in a square opening. Between the pairs of Apostles is a decoration of the sliding door from the Astronomical Clock, and above the Apostles’ heads is a depiction of the cockerel statue from the Astronomical Clock. The name of the state “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” is written in stylised letters around the entire edge of the coin. The denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “200 Kč” are located below the square containing the Apostles. The mark of the Czech Mint is located after the word “ČESKÁ” in the name of the state. The reverse side of the coin features the Astronomical Clock’s clockwork. At its left-hand edge is a skull symbolising the evanescence of time. Written around the entire edge of the coin are the inscription “SESTROJENÍ STAROMĚSTSKÉHO ORLOJE” and the years “1410 – 2010”. The coin was designed by the sculptor Ivan Řehák. His initials – made up of the intertwined letters “IŘ” – are located above the letter “A” of the word “STAROMĚSTSKÉHO”.

Each coin comes with a light-grey postcard-sized catalogue card. The relief of the coin is dry-stamped through silver foil. The text is given in Czech and English. The card is the same for the normal-quality and proof-quality coins.