80th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Dubček

200 Sk Commemorative Silver Coin

Alexander Dubcek (27.11.1921 – 7.11.1992) ranks among the most popular and prominent Slovak politicians. He has turned into a symbol of struggle against totalitarian rule, for freedom, democracy and social solidarity. He played a leading part in the former Czechoslovakia’s Spring of 1968, a turbulent time leading to democratisation of political, economic and social life. No for long, though, as this positive turn was foiled when Warsaw Treaty troops invaded Czechoslovakia on 21 August 1968. In April 1969, Dubcek was dismissed from his top political position and later shut out of public life for good. For almost two decades, he was under relentless surveillance by the state security service. But he would never give up, constantly writing protest letters to state and parliamentary authorities and staying in contact with foreign institutions and fighters for human rights. In November 1989, he was back in the spotlight with other big figures of a democratic revolution which toppled the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. He went on to chair the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly for some time, and stayed on as an MP after 1992. On 7 November 1992 he succumbed to injuries suffered in a tragic car accident.

Description of the coin

Obverse:
The obverse of the coin shows the coat of arms in its upper right part, beneath the countryOs name SLOVENSKA REPUBLIKA and the denomination of the coin 200 Sk. The left side shows a young oak which can be perceived as a symbol of the personality of Alexander Dubcek, on the left under the crown of the tree, is the year of the coinage 2001, and beneath this, the stylized initials of the creator of the art design on the front side of the coin – academic sculptor Anton Gabrik and the mint sign of the Kremnica Mint.

Reverse:
The reverse of the coin shows the portrait of Alexander Dubcek. The name ALEXANDER DUBCEK is written in two lines and cuts into the bottom right part of the portrait. At the bottom left edge are the years of his birth and death 1921 – 1992. The initials of the creator of the art design of the reverse side of the coin – academic sculptor Ladislav Kozak, are positioned along the right side of the portrait.