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100th anniversary of the Slovak Teacher’s Choir

€10 silver collector coin

The obverse design of the coin
The reverse design of the coin

The Slovak Teachers’ Choir (Spevácky zbor slovenských učiteľov – SZSU) is a Slovakia-based male teachers’ choir that enjoys a high reputation both at home and abroad. Its establishment was linked with the town of Trenčín and with names such as Gabriel Valocký and Miloš Ruppeldt. Since 3 March 1921, the choir has been a fine exponent of the artistic aspiration captured in the motto of M. Rázus: “To inspire love for the nation through singing”. The choir sings folk, patriotic and sacral songs and has given thousands of performances. Its tenor and bass singing have been honed by its conductors, including M. Ruppeldt, J. Strelec, J. Valach, J. Haluzický, P. Hradil and Š. Sedlický. The choir has won numerous major awards, with composers such as M. Moyzes, M. S. Trnavský, J. V. Dolinský, V. Figuš-Bystrý, J. Cikker, E. Suchoň, P. Špilák and T. Vrškový having composed for it directly. A permanent home for the choir was established in Trenčianske Teplice in 1933 thanks to support from J. Geryk, a donation from the local spas, and contributions from teachers. This base, called Domov SZSU, has been run by the state since 1968 and continues to provide a quality location for artistic work and relaxation.

  • Coin description

    Obverse:
    The central image is based on the logo of the Slovak Teachers’ Choir, showing the head of a woman with long flowing hair in left profile. The upper part of the design depicts horizontal parallel lines overlaid with the Slovak coat of arms and, below it,the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’. In the middle of the lower part is a silhouette relief view of Trenčín, positioned above the coin’s denomination and currency ‘10 EURO’ and below the year of issuance ‘2021’. Between that date and the silhouette image are the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies, and the stylised letters ‘ZF’ referring to the coin’s designer Zbyněk Fojtů.

    Reverse:
    In the upper segment of the reverse are the dates ‘1921’ and ‘2021’ placed either side of a stylised lyre. The rest of the design depicts three staves of notation for the national anthem of the Slovak Republic, with a treble clef at the beginning of the upper and middle staves. The letters shown in most of the white circular noteheads are sequenced to form the name ‘SPEVÁCKY ZBOR SLOVENSKÝCH UČITEĽOV‘.

  • Coin details
    Designer:Zbyněk Fojtů
    Composition:.900 silver, .100 copper
    Weight:18 g
    Diameter:34 mm
    Edge:• DUCH NÁRODA ŽIJE V PIESNI, V ŇOM SA VZNÁŠA K VÝŠINÁM
    (Through song, the nation’s spirit lives and soars to the heights)
    Producer:Kremnica Mint
    Engraver:Dalibor Schmidt
    Issuing volume:2,800 coins in brilliant uncirculated quality
    6,500 coins in proof quality
    Issuing date:12 March 2021

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