Gold coin ŠKODA - Sport proof numbered

The third gold coin from the Czech Mint’s collector’s series, which pays tribute to the renowned Mladá Boleslav-based car manufacturer, commemorates the Škoda Sport racing car.

The Škoda 1101, production of which began in 1946, was a modern vehicle with a robust design. It served as a passenger car and light commercial vehicle, but it also demonstrated its high reliability on rally tracks and in endurance races on circuits. Specifically for motorsport purposes, a specialized derivative called the Škoda Sport was created in 1949 based on the production model. The car, equipped with a 1.1-liter engine and a low, open two-seater body hand-crafted from aluminum sheet metal, was produced in a limited run of just two units. These dominated domestic races, but they had yet to be tested in international competition. The 18th edition of the toughest endurance race - the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans - presented the ideal opportunity to test the durability of production parts and, among other things, to promote the export of Czechoslovak cars. A fully fueled Škoda Sport, equipped with tools and spare parts, weighed just 700 kilograms. With a modified engine producing 50 horsepower, it reached speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour. With a fuel consumption of 12 liters per 100 kilometers, it could run on a full tank for four hours, and thus covered longer stretches than the competition without stopping. The factory crew, consisting of Václav Bobek and Jaroslav Netušil, performed excellently in the race, which started on June 24, 1950. In the under-1100 cm3 category, it held second place and climbed to fifth place in the overall standings. A sensational success was within reach, but after thirteen hours of racing, a trivial technical failure - a broken connecting rod pin - knocked the car out of the race. The crew was disappointed, but they did not despair. They had learned a lot and wanted to return to Le Mans the following year. However, their plans were thwarted by the Iron Curtain…

The reverse side of the coin, designed by medallist MgA. Martin Dašek, presents a full view of the car surrounded by the inscription ŠKODA SPORT. The composition is completed by the Czechoslovak flag along with details of the start number, license plate, and banner from the Monte Carlo Rally. Since the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with license from a foreign issuer, namely the island of Niue, their obverse side bears the necessary attributes, which means a portrait of King Charles III, the nominal value of 10 DOLLARS (NZD), and the year of issue 2026.

The commemorative coin, which is stored in a thematic packaging, is issued in a limited mintage of just 200 pieces, numbered along the edge.