The year 2022 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Gregor Mendel - the father of genetics. On this occasion, the Czech Mint issued a half-ounce gold medal which is part of a free cycle of the most beautiful unrealised designs entered into the Czech National Bank's competitions.

Appearance, temperament, intelligence - all this is passed on by parents to their offspring. But according to what laws? The question that has fascinated mankind for thousands of years was answered by a Silesian native in the 19th century... Gregor Mendel came from a peasant family. He helped his father grow fruit trees and keep bees since childhood, but he was extremely intelligent and eager to study. School fees were expensive for the family, so the young man entered the monastery in St. Brno. A career as a clergyman was one of the few ways to finance an education at that time. Because the Augustinians encouraged scientific research, the multi-talented Mendel was able to study not only theology, but also mathematics, physics and biology. He was a keen meteorologist, mainly interested in the little-known theory of probability, and surprisingly, he continued his peasant roots. Since 1856 he was involved in experiments on heredity and chose the sow pea for his research. Over the course of ten years, he grew thirty thousand plants, which were hybridized with each other. He observed how their characteristic features changed - for example, the shape and colour of the seeds, which could be round and square or yellow and green. Mendel used all the knowledge he had acquired in his studies of natural science and statistics and, as time went on, discovered the basic laws of heredity. His groundbreaking science, which could be applied to plants, animals and humans, was initially referred to as Mendelism. Today it is known and respected throughout the world as genetics.

The artwork of the commemorative medal was designed by a team of medal makers Asamat Baltaev, DiS., and Jiří Hanuš, DiS. While the obverse side is dominated by a portrait of Gregor Mendel with glasses, the reverse side presents stylised pea pods. Both sides are connected by a table of genotype distribution.

The schedule of issuance has only 99 pieces. In addition, each medal is hand-numbered on the edge.