Slovakia · 100th anniversary of the death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik

Issue date25 Apr 2019

Total mintage1,000,000

EU maximum1,000,000

Editions5

Edge letteringSLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA + ★ + Linden leaf + ★

Inscription1880 / 1919 / MILAN RASTISLAV ŠTEFÁNIK / SLOVENSKO / 2019 / PV / MK

DesignerPeter Valach

mintMincovna Kremnica, š.p., Kremnica / Slovakia

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik. The design shows his portrait as well as the years of birth and death “1880” and “1919”. His full name “MILAN RASTISLAV ŠTEFÁNIK” and the designation “SLOVENSKO” are arranged in a semicircle.

The design

The design depicts a portrait of Milan Rastislav Štefánik. To the left of the portrait, the year of birth “1880” and the year of death “1919” are shown one below the other. On the left side of the coin’s inner disc, the name “MILAN RASTISLAV ŠTEFÁNIK” and the name of the issuing country “SLOVENSKO” are inscribed in a semicircle. The year of issue “2019” is located between the portrait and the right side. Below the year are the stylised letters “PV”, the initials of the designer Peter Valach, and below them, between two mint marks, is the “MK” mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica).

The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Background on the topic

Milan Rastislav Štefánik was an astronomer, military aviator, French general and diplomat. He came from the Slovak part of the then Kingdom of Hungary within Austria-Hungary and studied in Prague. He subsequently went to France, where he worked at the Meudon Observatory. He undertook several journeys for astronomical and meteorological observations, including to the Pacific region. He later acquired French citizenship.

During the First World War, Štefánik combined his work for France with the aim of creating a common state of the Czechs and Slovaks. Together with Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Edvard Beneš, he was part of the leadership of the Czechoslovak National Council in exile. This organisation sought recognition of an independent Czechoslovak state from the Entente powers. Štefánik made use of his contacts in French and Italian government and military circles.

Another part of his work was the establishment of the Czechoslovak Legions. These military formations consisted mainly of Czech and Slovak prisoners of war, emigrants and defectors and fought alongside the Entente. Štefánik was particularly involved in their organisation and political protection in France, Italy and Russia. After the foundation of Czechoslovakia, he became War Minister of the new government.

He was killed when a military aircraft crashed near Bratislava as he was returning to his homeland from Italy. His death shortly after the foundation of the state contributed to his becoming a symbolic figure in Slovakia for state independence and the international anchoring of Czechoslovakia. Monuments, place names and state institutions commemorate him; Bratislava Airport also bears his name. The choice of the coin is therefore explained by his role in the creation of the common state and his firm place in Slovak culture of remembrance.