Previously, only rulers were depicted on coins. In monarchies this is still the case today. However, most of today's states are not monarchies. What about presidents? Can we find them on coins and banknotes?
For example, this is the first Czechoslovak president, Tomáš Garrique Masaryk. This coin was minted in 1937. On the occasion of his death. He hadn't been president for two years. He abdicated in 1935 for health reasons. He was, in accordance with our constitution at the time, elected president three times, each time for seven years.
To the coin. Czechoslovakia, 20 Czech Crowns, 1937, diameter 34 mm, weight 12 g of silver, fineness 700/1000.
I assume this is the case in all decent democratic countries. The president appears on the coin after his death. In republics that only play at being republics and are really dictatorships, there may well be a living president on the coin.
And now back to Masaryk. He was a typical self-made man. He was born the son of an illiterate coachman and a maid who could perhaps read a little. He started out as a blacksmith. Before he entered politics, he became a university professor of philosophy and sociology thanks to his talents and diligence.
How did he get the name Garrique? Masaryk was a feminist. When he married in 1878, he took his American wife's surname and she took his surname.
I should point out that his wife was the daughter of an American millionaire. Personally, I wouldn't be averse to adopting some surnames either. Windsor, von Habsburg, Rockefeller, more recently Musk... Anyway, I'm happily married now.
Masaryk's biography is no less interesting than that of Abraham Lincoln. He was also just a man and he made mistakes. Part of the nation adored him, part hated him. He used to be elected with about 60-70% of the vote.
Most of my nation recognizes Masaryk as our best president yet. So, in conclusion:
This is our most nominally valuable banknote today. 5,000 Czech crowns. At today's exchange rate, that's $218.
I am not going to write the stories of every person who has ever appeared on a Czech coin. That would be too many articles. But a few people are quite worth telling.
I promised myself to write at least 24 articles by January 25. This is the ninth.
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Some nice silver there! You married for love not for money, you're probably better off for it!
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Great article! I enjoyed the history behind the coin. I used to not look at coins less than 90% fineness, but considering how good it looks after all these years, I can see why they went for lesser purity to enhance its durability during circulation.
These coins were more commemorative. People kept them at home as a souvenir. That's why they're in such good condition.
Oh, ok. That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying that. 🙂
Oh damn for a second I thought it was Lenin 🤣
This one's 20 years older than Lenin. But they could have met. They were both in Swiss exile during World War I, and Masaryk visited Russia repeatedly. Lenin lived to 54, Masaryk to 87.
So he took his wife's surname, fascinating!
Yay! 🤗
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