University in Bratislava named for a pioneer in modern education has its centenary immortalised

John Amos Comenius was born in 1592, at a time when we all think of education as being the sole preserve of the very rich, or the very religious. Comenius helped to bring education to the fore as a viable societal concept. A philosopher, theologian and teacher, he was the last bishop of the Unity of the Brethren, but left to become a religious refugee. His book, Didactica Magna, championed the idea of universal education, and he spent much of his life advising schools and governments across Protestant Europe. Comenius is considered the father of modern education.

With a history like that, it’s fitting that his name adorns educational institutions today, and one such is the university in Bratislava. Comenius University is the largest university in Slovakia and has over 25,000 students. Founded shortly after the creation of the state of Czechoslovakia in 1919, many famous locals have passed through its doors, including several Prime Ministers, so its selection for centennial commemoration is an apt one.

An 18 gram 0.900 silver coin, it’s available in either a proof finish (7,300 mintage), or a brilliant-uncirculated one (3,100 mintage). The coin has quite an eye catching design. Not a particularly cohesive one, but rather one full of individual elements having meaning for the subject. University logos and an open book have been used by designer Patrik Kovačovský to give an idea of what this institution has successfully done for young people for 100 years.

Engraved on the edge is the text “● IN UNUM VERTERE ● IN UNUM VERTERE”, a loose Latin translation of which is ‘Universal’. Struck at the Kremnica Mint, the coin will be available from tomorrow. While not a subject that will stand out around the world, being quite specific to the former Czechoslovakia, it is nevertheless a neat addition for the Euro coin collector.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Universities were from their inception seen as vanguards of education and science and as exemplifying the cultural progress of nation and state. Slovakia’s first university-type institution – Comenius University in Bratislava – began operation at the end of 1919, when the Faculty of Medicine opened its doors to Slovak students. The Faculty of Law and Faculty of Philosophy were established in 1921 and the Faculty of Science in 1940. Teachers and academics from Czech institutions, in particular Charles University in Prague, together with their Slovak colleagues, played a significant role in establishing Comenius University as the leading educational institution in Slovakia. Comenius University is today an internationally recognised centre of education and research, with 13 faculties and almost 24,000 students.

REVERSE: is centred on the main elements of the logos of the University’s three original faculties: Philosophy, Medicine and Law. Spaced equidistantly along the edge of this composition are the words ‘JURIDICA’, ‘PHILOSOPHICA’ and ‘MEDICA’. Inscribed in semicircle around most of the outer edge of the design are the words ‘UNIVERZITA KOMENSKÉHO V BRATISLAVE’ (Comenius University in Bratislava). Above the lower edge is the year of the University’s establishment ‘1919’. To the left of that year is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies; to the right are the stylised letters ‘PK’ referring to the obverse designer, Patrik Kovačovský

OBVERSE: design depicts a book laid open and, just above it, a sun emitting rays of light. The sun image, part of the logo of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Comenius University in Bratislava, is overarched by two semicircular lines, one below the other, whose ends are at each edge of the open book. The Slovak coat of arms is situated just above the lower edge. Between it and the book is the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’ and the year of issuance ‘2019’, one above the other. To the left of the coat of arms is the currency denomination, ‘10’, and to the right is the currency name, ‘EURO’. Inscribed in semicircle around most of the outer edge of the design is the University’s Latin name ‘UNIVERSITAS COMENIANA BRATISLAVENSIS’.