The Slovak Republic’s accession to the European Union

200 Sk Commemorative Silver Coin

The European Union is the result of the European integration process, which began after World War II. The European Community for Coal and Steel (1951), The European Community for Nuclear Energy and the European Economic Community (1957) were the forerunners of the EU. The founding countries – Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy were gradually joined by Denmark, Ireland, Great Britain, Spain and Portugal. Finland, Austria and Sweden joined the EU after its establishment. The title European Union was adopted in February 1992, when the Treaty on the European Union was signed in Maastricht and which became effective in November 1993. The European Union is based on the principles of freedom, democracy and the respect for human rights. Its elementary goal is to support sustainable and balanced economic and social progress, especially through the establishment of a zone free of internal borders through the strengthening of economic and social cohesion and through the introduction of an economic and monetary union with a single currency.

On May 1st 2004, the largest expansion of the European Union in its history took place and the 15 member countries were joined by ten new ones – Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Description of the coin

Obverse:
A gate with a circle of twelve stars, representing open access to the EU, is located in the middle of the coin. The state shield is located near the bottom edge. The stylized initials of Patrik Kovacovky, the designer of the coin, are placed to its right and the mark of the mint Bizuterie Ceska Mincovna is on the left. The year of issue, 2004, is above the gate. The name of the state SLOVENSKA REPUBLIKA is inscribed around the edge.

Reverse:
A gate with a silhouette of the map of the Slovak republic, symbolizing the access of Slovakia to the EU, is depicted in the middle of the coin. The date of access – May 1, 2004 – is located above the gate, the nominal value forms two lines under the map. The words VSTUP SLOVENSKA DO EUROPSKEJ UNIE (The Accession of Slovakia to the European Union) are inscribed around the edge of the coin.