Czechoslovakia (1960-1989)
Silver medal 1968 50th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia / the occupation of Czechoslovakia on 21 August 1968
Final price
1 560 €
Starting price
600 €
Nominal
Medal
Lot number
486
Category
Coins and medals
Subcategory
Period after 1918
Classification
Czechoslovakia (1960-1989)
Auction number
31
Weight
19.95 g
Diameter
35 mm
Rarity
R
Edge
Hladká hrana
Condition obverse
Proof
Condition reverse
Proof
Metal
Ag
Author
Jiří Harcuba
Note
Jiří Harcuba designed this medal for the 50th anniversary of the Republic. He was finishing the medal in August 1968 and the circumstances of this time influenced its design. On one side, there is a woman kneeling with a linden twig, as a symbol of the Czech State. She is being aimed at by five bayonets, which represent the five states that attacked Czechoslovakia, alongside a snake and the date - 21.8.1968. On the other side, there is the motto "Pravda vítězí" ("Truth prevails") with the presidential banner used from 1920 by Masaryk and later also by Dr. Beneš. The medal was produced abroad, probably in Switzerland. The reaction to this protest medal was quick and Harcuba's courage was punished by a prison sentence as long as four whole months. In these tense times, despite possible persecution by the State Security (StB), three members of the Czechoslovak Philharmonic managed to bring three specimens over to the country.
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