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Nature and countryside conservation – Muránska planina (Muránska plateau) National Park

500 Sk commemorative silver coin

Banknotes and coins, Nature and countryside conservation – Muránska planina (Muránska plateau) National Park
Banknotes and coins, Nature and countryside conservation – Muránska planina (Muránska plateau) National Park

Muránska Planina National Park is located on the dividing line between Central and Eastern Slovakia, in the west part of Slovenské Rudohorie Mountain Chain. It was declared in 1997 on an area of 20,318 hectares. The Park is an extraordinary valuable natural landscape, relatively little affected by civilisation.

On its territory, four geomorphologic units meet together: Veporské Vrchy Mountain, Spiš-Gemer Carst, Stolické Vrchy Mountain, and Horehronské Podolie Valley. As a result, both carst and non-carst formations are very diverse. Under the influence of water, deep valleys developed in limestone and dolomites, such as impressive Javorníková Dolina Valley with several waterfalls. Many caves, sinking and reemerging streams, and external carst formations are to be found in the Park. The local flora is rich, with abundant alpine and sub-alpine species. The most characteristic plant is Lykovec muránsky (Daphne arbuscula), an endemit of the Muránska Planina Plateau that does not grow in any other place in the world. Also fauna is represented in abundance. The half-wild breeding of Muran Norik horses at Veľká Lúka is typical.

  • Coin description

    Obverse:
    The flowers of Lykovec muránsky (Daphne arbuscula) are depicted on the obverse of the coin with a section of the Muráň Castle above them, and the state coat of arms in the bottom left part. The name of the state SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA is inscribed above it in vertical and horizontal lines. The year of mintage 2006 is near the bottom edge of the coin. The stylized initials of Karol Ličko, the designer and the trademark of the Kremnica Mint are on the right under the castle ruins.

    Reverse:
    A pair of Muran type Norik horses are depicted on the reverse of the coin; a part of the panorama of the plateau of Muránska planina and the inscription NÁRODNY PARK MURÁNSKA PLANINA (Muránska Planina National Park), the name of the national park, are above them. The denomination of the coin 500 Sk is near the right edge.

  • Coin details
    Designer:Karol Ličko
    Material:Ag 925, Cu 75
    Weight:33.63 g
    Diameter:40 mm
    Edge:relief inscription “OCHRANA PRÍRODY A KRAJINY”
    (Protection of nature and landscape)
    Producer:Kremnica Mint
    Engraver:Dalibor Schmidt
    Issuing volume:4,000 in brilliant uncirculated quality
    2,600 in proof quality
    Additional issuing volume:300 in brilliant uncirculated quality (7/2006)
    200 in proof quality (7/2006)
    Issuing date:30 March 2006

Leaflet