Slovakia celebrates Jurkovic, one of its architectural masters, with a new proof silver coin

A new issue from the National Bank of Slovakia celebrates a master of Slovak architecture. An 18 gram silver coin, it looks decent, the portrait looking particularly well done, although the subject matter may be a little esoteric for audiences outside of his homeland. Struck by the Kremnica Mint, it carries an edge inscription that reads OSOBNOSŤ SLOVENSKEJ ARCHITEKTÚRY (PERSONALITY OF SLOVAK ARCHITECTURE). Designed by Filip Čerťaský, it’s available now in both proof and brilliant uncirculated finishes.

Dušan Samuel Jurkovič (23 August 1868 – 21 December 1947) was one of the most important figures in the 20th-century Slovak architecture. His many, diverse, and distinctive works became part of the multifaceted evolution of Slovak modern architecture. At the end of the 19th century Jurkovič designed what are among the best-known of his vernacular-inspired works: wooden buildings at Pustevny near Radhošť Mountain (Czech Republic). In 1928 he created an iconic piece of modern architecture that fully realised his ideas about monument design: the burial monument of Milan Rastislav Štefánik at Bradlo (Slovakia). Jurkovič proved his versatility by designing numerous industrial buildings in the 1930s, including the exceptional stations of the aerial tramway to the summit of Lomnický Peak in the High Tatras.

REVERSE: features a portrait of Dušan Samuel Jurkovič, complemented by stained-glass motifs from his architectural works in the upper right part of the coin and at the bottom of the coin. His full name DUŠAN SAMUEL JURKOVIČ together with the dates of his birth and death (1868 – 1947) are placed between the stained-glass designs in separate lines.

OBVERSE: Two of the top architectural works by Dušan Samuel Jurkovič – the burial monument of Milan Rastislav Štefánik and the upper cable car station at Lomnický štít in the High Tatras – are depicted on the obverse of the coin. The Slovak coat of arms appears centred at the bottom of the design. Below, in two lines, the year of issuance ‘2018’ and the country name of the state SLOVENSKO are situated. The coin’s denomination and currency ‘10 EURO’ appear in the upper part.