In 1960 my country changed its name from the Czechoslovak Republic to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. And, of course, the state emblem changed. When you have a communist dictature as a state system, formally masquerading as a parliamentary republic, it's quite easy.
This was our so-called small state emblem 1918-1939 and again 1945-1960.
The coat of arms depicts a Czech lion with two tails, a royal crown on its head and the emblem of Slovakia on its chest, three mountains with a cross.
This was our new emblem. The lion lost his crown. Instead, he got a communist star over his head. The communists promoted atheism. No wonder the cross disappeared from the Slovak emblem. Of the three mountains, one remains. The mountain was covered by fire. The emblem was a heraldic monstrosity.
The first coin is 10 Czechoslovak Crown (10 Kčs), Anniversary of John Amos Comenius, diameter 30 mm, weight 12 g of silver, purity 500/1000, 150.000 pieces.
When I was a kid, we were told at school that everyone in the world knew Comenius. That he was called "the teacher of nations". Does anyone know him? There were terrible lies in communist schools.
The second coin is 25 Czechoslovak Crowns (25 Kčs), Aniversary of 20 years since the liberation, diameter 34 mm, weight 16 g of silver, purity 500/1000, 150.000 pieces.
I have written twice about the regime's obsession with the anti-Nazi struggle. The third time. The picture shows the bridge tower of Prague's Charles Bridge with a stylized barricade in front of it.
I promised myself to write at least 24 articles by January 25. This is the sixteenth. I have no idea when or what my next article will be about. But I suppose it will be about gold and silver coins from my collection.
Thank you for reading and for your support.