Shopping Cart
2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Slovenia, issued in 2013 in a circulation of 1,000,000 copies. Dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the Postojna Cave. Minted at the Royal Netherlands Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized interior of the Postojna Cave with characteristic stalactites and stalagmites and a small figure of an olma (Proteus anguinus) - an endemic cave salamander. Above - "POSTOJNSKA JAMA", below - "SLOVENIJA" with the dates "1213-2013". Mintmark. On the ring - 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 - 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 "SLOVENIJA ★", repeated.
Historical context
Postojnska jama (Postojnska jama) is the largest cave system in Slovenia and one of the most famous in the world. The total length of the surveyed galleries is 24,340 m. It is located in the Postojna area (southwestern Slovenia) in the classic Karst region of Kras. The first written mention of the cave is in 1213 (graffiti of a medieval visitor). Systematic research of the cave began in 1818, when Luka Čech found new parts. In 1819, the cave was officially opened to tourists - it was the first tourist cave in the world. In 1872, the cave railway began to operate, which made it even more accessible. Today, Postojna Cave is visited by over 700,000 tourists each year. A unique feature is the olm or "human fish" (Proteus anguinus), an endemic blind salamander that has lived here for over 100 years. In 2013, the 800th anniversary of the first written record was celebrated.