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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Slovak Republic, issued in 2025 in a circulation of 1,000,000 copies. Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first European Ice Hockey Championship. It was minted at Mincovňa Kremnica. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized hockey player in dynamic movement with a stick. Next to it are the characteristic icy mountains of the High Tatras (the venue of the first championship). At the top is "100 ROKOV PRVÝCH ME V HOKEJI", at the bottom is "SLOVENSKO" with the dates "1925-2025". Mark of the Kremnica Mint. On the outer ring are the 12 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 grooved and has the inscription "SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA" with two linden leaves.
Historical context
The 1925 IIHF European Ice Hockey Championship was the first ever official European ice hockey championship among men's national teams, held from January 9 to 15, 1925 in Starý Smokovec in the High Tatras (Tatranská Lomnica), then Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). The organizer was the International Ice Hockey League (LIHG, the predecessor of the current IIHF). Six teams took part in it: Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, and Sweden. The tournament was held on natural ice, in a mountain resort. The victory was won by the Czechoslovakian national team, second place was taken by Austria, and third by Switzerland. The coin's year of issue, 2025, coincides with the 100th anniversary of this historic event. The modern European Ice Hockey Championship has not been held (since 1991) - instead, there is the World Championship. Slovakia is a traditionally strong ice hockey nation, world champion in 2002, and multiple medalist.