The silver coin of the Czech National Bank with a nominal value of 200 CZK, which boasts top-quality proof, commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Česká spořitelna bank.

Savings banks, which began to appear in European countries in the second half of the 18th century, were intended to help the population. They were intended to help the poorer and middle classes in particular to learn how to save their money better, not to spend and to save for the future. The first institution of this kind in the Habsburg monarchy was 'Die Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse', which was founded in Vienna in 1819. Just six years later, a group of Czech wholesalers and noblemen founded a savings bank with its headquarters in the Prague Provincial Assembly building. It was called the "Savings Treasury for the Capital City of Prague and for Bohemia", which was later shortened to "Spořitelna Česká", the attribute denoting the place of operation, not the nationality. The institution was opened on 12 February 1825, symbolically on the birthday of Emperor Francis I, who made a significant contribution to the basic fund, which gave the depositors the assurance that they would not lose their deposits. With a single deposit, people could repeatedly entrust the savings bank with amounts ranging from 25 kreutzers to 100 gold pieces - the equivalent of the price of a large chicken or cow. These savings bore interest at a rate of 4 %, allowing people to build up a reserve for old age or in case of illness and unemployment. The savings bank was able to offer an interesting return due to the high demand for loans. It was not afraid to grant loans or even invest in businesses and various projects. It intervened in the appearance of landscapes and cities and in the cultural and social life of the whole country. After two centuries, Česká spořitelna is the oldest and, with 4.5 million clients, the largest bank in the country...

The design of the commemorative coin was based on an artwork by the academic sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů. On the obverse side you will find a collage consisting of fragments of a 50 gold note and the annual report of the Böhmische Sparkasse. Another part of the puzzle is an emblem with the figure of St. Wenceslas. The reverse side of the coin then presents the building of the Česká spořitelna bank on Národní třída, graphic elements of deposit books and a bee, which was a symbol of thrift.

All Czech coins - both commemorative and circulation - are produced by the Czech Mint in Jablonec nad Nisou.