Slovakia has issued a special silver collector's coin to commemorate the first time that the Central European country will hold the presidency of the European Council.

The Slovak Republic will hold the presidency of the council of the European Union from July 1st 2016 to December 31st 2016, taking over from the Netherlands who held the seat from January of the same year. The presidency of the European Union is a six month rotating position held by each member state in turn. Member states that hold consecutive terms will work together in groups of three that are referred to as “trios”. In this fashion they can set 18 month goals and work together on programs that benefit the greater European community.

Slovakia 2016 10 Euro Silver Coin Reverse- Slovakia's First Presidency of the EU Council

The reverse depicts a three pointed crown dissolving into three wavy lines at the bottom.The legend reads : “PREDSEDNICTVO SR V RADE EU” which translates as “Slovakia's presidency of the EU Council”

The obverse displays the Slovakian national Coat of Arms next to the date, 2016. Around the rim the legend “SLOVENSKA REPUBLIKA 10 EURO” is inscribed denoting the country of issue and denomination of the coin. The coin was designed by Vladimír Pavlica who also designed the Bratislava coronations – the 275th anniversary of the coronation of Maria Theresa gold coin released in May 2016.

Slovakia 2016 10 Euro Silver Coin - Slovakia's First Presidency of the EU Council

The coin is struck from .900 Fineness silver to a 34mm coin weighing 18gram. The proof coin will have a mintage of 5600 coins while a brilliant uncirculated version will get a mintage of 4600 coins total.