To mark its 90th anniversary, Prague Zoo is issuing unique Trojan Thalers. The sale will support projects to protect endangered species

News

24. 09. 2021


Prague Zoo has regularly issued a unique artifact to mark a major anniversary. In the past, these have included special editions of postage stamps, first day covers or postmarks. In honour of this year’s 90th anniversary, it will present a special trio of securities, a limited edition of Trojan (pronounced “troyan”) Thalers – “banknotes” printed by the State Printing Works of Securities using high quality printing. They depict some of Prague Zoo’s most popular animals - the Asian elephant, the Cape fur seal and the western lowland gorilla.

Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s Director, and Tomáš Hebelka, Director of the State Printing Works of Securities, were present as the first Trojan Thalers rolled off the printing machine. They personally inspected the security features on the first specimens of these “banknotes”. Author: Václav Šilha, Prague Zoo Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s Director, and Tomáš Hebelka, Director of the State Printing Works of Securities, were present as the first Trojan Thalers rolled off the printing machine. They personally inspected the security features on the first specimens of these “banknotes”. Author: Václav Šilha, Prague Zoo

“Our “banknotes”, which are really commemorative certificates, are valued at 100, 500 and 1,000 Trojan Thalers. These refer to the former Jáchymov tolar, which lent its name to the dollar. And the moniker “Trojan”, together with the image of Troja Castle on the obverse, is a mark of respect for the place where our zoo is located,” explained Prague Zoo’s director Miroslav Bobek. “At the same time the motif of Troja Castle also reminds us that its last private owner, the landowner Alois Svoboda, donated the land on which Prague Zoo was later built to the Czechoslovak state.”

The Trojan Thalers will be revealed to the public for the first time on Tuesday, September 28th, as part of the 90th anniversary celebration of Prague Zoo’s opening. It won’t be possible to purchase the limited edition “banknote” before then.

“We used standard security features on the “banknotes” for Prague Zoo, just like the ones you can find on a real banknote. These include elements that are visible to the naked eye and others that are only visible under UV light. Of course, each commemorative certificate will also bear a unique number and other concealed anti-counterfeiting elements,” said Tomáš Hebelka, director of the State Printing Works of Securities.

Production was preceded by roughly a year of preparations, including talks with the State Printing Works of Securities. The design of the commemorative sheets comes from Prague Zoo.

“For an artist, a “banknote” is the pinnacle of design and the greatest challenge. I am very happy that after 25 years I could return to the State Printing Works and create these Trojan Thalers for Prague Zoo. Although they are not a national currency, they do express the desire to help nature,” said Štěpán Kotrba, Prague Zoo’s designer and author of the design on the Trojan Thalers.

The funds raised from the sale of the Trojan Thalers will be used exclusively for in situ projects, i.e., to protect endangered species in their natural habitat. The Trojan Thalers will be available from Tuesday, September 28th, at the State Printing Works of Securities’ e-shop.

The Trojan Thaler is issued in three denominations: 100, 500 and 1,000. The banknotes, which contain the full range of security features, depict some of Prague Zoo’s most popular animals - the Asian elephant, the Cape fur seal and the western lowland gorilla. Author: Václav Šilha, Prague Zoo.