Franz Kafka appears on the gold coin of the Czech Mint from the free cycle commemorating important personalities of world history.

Although Franz Kafka did not consider himself a writer, he ranked among the most important figures of 20th century literature. During his short lifetime, the Prague-based, German-writing writer published several short works, such as the short story “Metamorphosis“ (originally entitled “Proměna“). He destroyed his early writings and the same fate was to befall his masterpiece, but the writer Max Brod decided to defy his friend's last wish. He saved Kafka's existentialist writings and gradually introduced them to the world. Readers who got their hands on novels such as America, The Trial and The Castle experienced the distressing feelings of isolation, anxiety and hopelessness caused by the absurd bureaucratic set-up of modern society. Kafka saw the changing world as a prison without bars from which there was no escape. Through bizarre situations and tragicomic moments he expressed the futility and fruitlessness of human endeavour. His fear of the dehumanization of the world is perhaps even more relevant today than when he wrote about it…

When creating the reverse side of the coin, the medal maker MgA. Josef Oplištil was inspired by the short story Metamorphosis, which is about a man who became a giant insect. The portrait of Franz Kafka flows seamlessly into the cover of the book, whose leaves turn into insect legs. In addition to the writer's name, the reverse side of the book is supplemented with his life years 1883-1924. On the obverse side of the book, not only the beetle's limbs, but also the American flag, the silhouette of Prague Castle and the symbol of a paragraph. These motifs refer to Kafka's novels America, The Castle and The Trial. As the licence to issue the Czech Mint commemorative coins is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side still bears its necessary elements - the national emblem, the nominal value of 25 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2023.

The coin, which is issued in a limited edition of only 100 pieces, is supplemented with a pictorial certificate of authenticity. It commemorates Kafka's most famous works through sketches.