Slovakia 2009 20th anniversary of 17 November 1989
20th anniversary of 17 November 1989
On
November 17, Slovakia will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Velvet
Revolution in which the former communist Czechoslovakia and generally all of
eastern and central Europe freed itself from domination by the Soviet Union.
Three years after the revolution Czechoslovakia peacefully separated into two
countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In addition to dissidents who had
worked against the totalitarian regime for many years, students in 1989 were a
key part of the Velvet Revolution.
The
coin shows a stylised bell with keys serving as clappers. It recalls the
demonstration on 17 November 1989 when protesters jangled their keys to
symbolise the unlocking of doors, an event which marked the beginning of the
‘Velvet Revolution’ in Czechoslovakia, as it then was. Under the bell are the
artist’s mark and the mint mark of Mincovňa Kremnica (the Slovak mint).
Encircling the bell are the legend ‘17. NOVEMBER SLOBODA DEMOKRACIA’, the dates
‘1989-2009’ and the name of the issuing country, ‘SLOVENSKO’. The coin’s outer
ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.
Weight - 8.5 g.
Quality - UNC (Uncirculated)
Diameter - 25.75 mm.
Composition - Bimetallic - nickel brass clad
nickel center in copper-nickel ring
Circulation - 1'000'000 pcs.
Country of origin - Slovakia
Year of release - 2009
