Shopping Cart
A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Slovak Republic, issued in 2023 in a circulation of 1,000,000 copies. Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first blood transfusion in Slovakia. It was minted at Mincovňa Kremnica. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized composition - a drop of blood with a heart symbol, surrounded by symbols of the medical profession and laboratory. At the top - "PRVÁ TRANSFÚZIA KRVI NA SLOVENSKU", at the bottom - "SLOVENSKO" with the dates "1923-2023". Mark of the Kremnica Mint. On the outer ring - 12 EU stars.
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 - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the European Union. The edge - with thin ribbing and the inscription "SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA" with two linden leaves.
Historical context
The first blood transfusion in Slovakia took place on April 15, 1923 in Bratislava. The procedure was performed by doctors Ján Knop and Ladislav Dérer at the Bratislava University Hospital, the first to save a patient with a blood transfusion. This happened only 22 years after Karl Landsteiner discovered blood groups A, B, O in 1901 (for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1930) and the revolutionary introduction of safe blood transfusion in World War I. Modern blood transfusion is a routine procedure that saves millions of lives. Slovakia today has an extensive blood donation system, coordinated by the National Blood Transfusion Service of Slovakia (Národná transfúzna služba SR). Every year, thousands of Slovaks voluntarily donate blood. The 100th anniversary of this historic medical achievement will be celebrated in 2023.