Slovakia has now released it's 5th collector's coin for 2016, and it continues the Kremnica Mint's longstanding track record of high quality designs featuring historical figures. Much in the vain of the Maria Theresa Coronation gold coin that was released during May of the same year.
The coin commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of Juraj Thurzo, also known as György Thurzó, in 1616. Juraj Thurzo(2 September 1567 24 December 1616) was a statesman, diplomat, soldier in the war with the Ottomans and one of the richest men in all of upper Hungary during his lifetime. He is best remembered as a man of learning and patron of both culture and religion. He was the hereditary district governor of Orava County. He is said to have been equally adept as either a soldier or a diplomat and served as a counsellor to the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph II.
Juraj Thurzo
In 1609 he was elected Palatine of Hungary, the highest obtainable secular office in the Kingdom of Hungary. A position he held until his death in 1616. He was a staunch proponent of both education and of the Lutheran faith and oversaw the construction of several schools and churches.
Slovakia 2016 Juraj Thurzo Coin Obverse
The obverse depicts Juraj Thurzo mounted on horseback, in the foreground. The background depicts an elevated view of Lietava Castle. The Slovakian national coat of arms and the mintmark of the Kremnika Mint appear to the right and left of the mounted figure respectively. The words SLOVENSKO(Slovakia) and 2016 are engraved along the rim.
The reverse shows an engraved version of a well known historical portrait of Juraj Thurzo. To his right appears an artist's representation of his family's coat of arms. Along the rim, to the top, appears his name Juraj Thurzo along with his dates of birth and death 1567 and 1616. The denomination of 10 EURO is found to the lower left in two lines.
Slovakia 2016 Juraj Thurzo Coin Reverse
The 34mm(1.3385 inch) coin bears an edge inscription that reads VIVIT POST FUNERA VIRTUS, which translates into Virtues Survive Death. The 18gram(0.63 oz) coin is struck from .900 Fineness(90% pure) silver and was designed by Peter Valach.
The coin has a total mintage figure of 8500 coins with 5400 coins to be minted to a proof finish and the remaining 3100 pieces as brilliant uncirculated.
