Legendary Tatra 603 on an official silver coin
Sberatel.info
27. June, 2023
A coin depicting the legendary Czechoslovak car Tatra 603 was issued by the Czech National Bank (CNB). The original detail on the commemorative silver coin is an inset element in the colour of the black paint of the car’s body.
The coin has a nominal value of CZK 500 (21 EUR) but sells for up to 6 times more on the open market. The silver five hundred crown is part of the thematic cycle Famous transport vehicles, which is characterised by the unique technical design of each of the planned issues.
The obverse of the five hundredth coin features a frontal view of the Tatra 603 car and a detail of its dashboard, including part of the steering wheel. The central motif of the reverse is an inset element in anthracite black, which depicts the Tatra 603 from a side view. There are also technical drawings of the car and an oblique view of it. The coin was designed for the CNB by medallist Mrs. Petra Brodská.
The Central Bank issued a total of 30,000 commemorative coins in two versions: 10,794 in regular quality and another 19,206 in proof quality.
The thematic series Famous transport vehicles is specific thanks to the unique technical design of each of the five planned issues.
The commemorative coins already depict the Škoda 498 Albatros steam locomotive (a coin with a hologram issued in 2021), the Jawa 250 motorcycle (a coin with enamelling issued in 2022) and the Tatra 603 passenger car (a coin with an embedded coated element issued in 2023).
In 2024, this series will be completed by a trimetallic coin with the motifs of the T3 tram. A coin dedicated to the Aero L-39 Albatros trainer aircraft will complete the thematic series in 2025.
The modern six-seater Tatra 603 limousine was created at the Tatra Kopřivnice plant under the direction of Julius Mackerle and Vladimír Popelář, with a design by František Kardaus and Zdeněk Kovář.
The most common paint colour was black for representational reasons. Three passengers could sit in the front of the car, so the gear lever is part of the steering wheel. The engine was located at the rear of the car and the storage compartment at the front.
From 1962 onwards, a number of upgrades were made with changes to minor features, the most notable being the replacement of the original trio of lights with two separate pairs.
You’ll definitely be able to buy the silver coin at the International Sberatel Fair, which will take place from 8-9 September at the PVA Expo in Prague.
jj, photo: Czech National Bank and archive
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