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The first commemorative 2 euro coin of the Slovak Republic, issued on November 17, 2009 in a circulation of 1,000,000 copies. It was minted at Mincovňa Kremnica (Kremnica Mint) - one of the oldest in the world (since 1328). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
In the center of the coin is a stylized bell in the shape of a key - a symbol of the Gentle Revolution (during the protests, people shook their keys as a sign of time to leave it to politicians). Above - "17. NOVEMBER 1989", below - "SLOVENSKO 2009". On the right - the mark of the Kremnica Mint. On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely fluted and has the inscription "SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA" with two linden leaves.
Historical context
The Gentle Revolution (Nežná revolúcia in Slovak, Sametová revoluce in Czech) was a peaceful revolution in Czechoslovakia from November 17 to December 29, 1989, which ended the 41-year rule of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (since 1948). The revolution began on November 17, 1989, with a peaceful student demonstration in Prague, brutally suppressed by the police. This sparked mass protests throughout the country. In the Czech Republic, the leader of the opposition movement Civic Forum (Občanské fórum) was playwright Václav Havel; in Slovakia, the People Against Violence (Verejnosť proti násiliu) movement was led by Alexander Dubček and Jan Čarnogúrský. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the squares during the protests. On December 29, 1989, Havel became president of Czechoslovakia. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.