Slovakia · 100 years of the first blood transfusion in Slovakia

Issue date2 Mar 2023

Total mintage1,000,000

EU maximum1,000,000

Editions4

Edge letteringSLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA + ★ + Linden leaf + ★

InscriptionA / B / 0 / AB / MP / MK / PRVÁ TRANSFÚZIA KRVI 1923 – 2023 / SLOVENSKO

DesignerMária Poldaufová

mintMincovna Kremnica, š.p., Kremnica / Slovakia

Issue occasion

The coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first blood transfusion in Slovakia in 1923. The design features an equilateral cross as a symbol of medical assistance, hope and humanity, with its arms indicating the blood groups A, B, 0 and AB. Further crosses and a central blood drop are placed within the cross; around it, eight test tubes with stylised blood drops are arranged. The inscription “PRVÁ TRANSFÚZIA KRVI 1923 – 2023” denotes the commemorative occasion.

The design

Depicted is an equilateral cross as an internationally recognised symbol of medical assistance, hope and humanity. One of the four blood groups is indicated on each arm of the cross: A, B, 0 and AB. Within the cross, two further equilateral crosses are embossed, with a drop of blood at the centre. Around the central cross, at equal distances from one another, are eight lower halves of test tubes, each containing a stylised drop of blood. A drop of blood is also embossed between each pair of test tubes. On the right side of the lowest test tube are the stylised initials “MP”, referring to the designer of the national side, Mária Poldaufová, while on the left side, between two cubes, is the mintmark of Mincovňa Kremnica, consisting of the letters “MK”. The inscription “PRVÁ TRANSFÚZIA KRVI 1923 – 2023” (Slovak for “first blood transfusion”) runs around the inner part of the coin. Along the bottom of the inner part of the coin is the name of the issuing country, “SLOVENSKO”, separated from the aforementioned inscription on the left and right by a dot.

The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

Background on the topic

Blood transfusions only became a reliably usable medical treatment at the beginning of the 20th century. Earlier attempts had often failed because of clotting, infections or incompatibility reactions. A decisive prerequisite was the discovery of the AB0 blood group system by Karl Landsteiner. It explained why the blood of certain donors and recipients was compatible, while other combinations triggered severe reactions.

Further progress came from methods for inhibiting blood clotting and for the short-term storage of donated blood. During the First World War, such methods were developed further, particularly for treating the wounded. In the following years, they increasingly found their way into civilian hospitals. Initially, transfusions were often still carried out directly from a selected donor to the patient; blood banks and centrally organised transfusion services were established only later.

The first documented blood transfusion in what is now Slovakia was performed by the surgeon Ján Kňazovický. He belonged to the generation of doctors who established modern surgical and transfusion medicine procedures in the former Czechoslovakia. His treatment therefore represents not only a single procedure, but also the transition to a form of medicine in which major operations, the treatment of severe blood loss and certain internal medicine treatments could increasingly be supported by donated blood.

Over time, transfusion medicine developed into a medical field in its own right. In addition to determining the blood group, it includes compatibility testing, screening for transmissible pathogens and the separation of donated blood into individual components. Red blood cells, platelets and plasma can thus be used selectively for different treatments.

The choice of this theme for a circulation coin therefore refers to a turning point in Slovak healthcare. At the same time, it highlights voluntary blood donation, on which the provision of care in cases of accidents, operations, birth complications and numerous diseases continues to depend.