The ninth gold coin of the Czech Mint from the series Obrněná technika (Armoured Technology) commemorates the American tank M26 Pershing, which served during World War II.

The development of tank forces was not a priority for the United States in the interwar period. Unlike European countries, they did not feel threatened militarily. When they became involved in World War II, their M3 Stuart and M4 Sherman light and medium tanks kept pace with German machines. However, the situation changed after encountering the advanced Tiger and Panther types. The Americans exercised air power or numerical superiority in destroying them, but paid for their victory with heavy losses of armoured equipment. Therefore, development of the American heavy tank was restarted. The first units were produced until the end of 1944. By then, the Allies on the Western Front had a difficult time in the Ardennes, and the combat deployment of the new M26 Pershing tank did not take long. Thanks to its superior ballistic shaping, this armoured tank was as durable as the rival Tiger, but 14 tons lighter and faster. The 90mm cannon was comparable to the dreaded German guns, but had a more effective targeting system. A film camera documented the battle in Cologne, where the Pershing easily defeated the Panther. The German panzers were unfamiliar with American gun stabilizers, and fatally assumed that the enemy had to stop to aim. By the end of the war, 1,436 Pershing were produced, but they failed to make a significant impact on the fighting. They were later reclassified as medium tanks due to their light weight and set the course for future development. They shone in Korea, where they proved superior to their Soviet counterparts.

The reverse side of the commemorative coin, which is the work of medal maker MgA. Martin Dašek, presents two depictions of the American tank - the three-quarter view is supplemented with a side silhouette. An inscription of the M26 PERSHING and a detail of the tank belt complete the composition. The stripes can also be found on the obverse side of the coin, which is common to the entire tank series. As the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary elements - the national emblem, the nominal value of 5 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2024.

The coin is set in a spectacular packaging in the form of a catalogue card full of period photographs, interesting facts and tactical data. Individual cards can be stored in a collector's binder which you can also find in the offer of the Czech Mint.