20 haleru Czechia (1998-2003)

in the centre the lion - Czech Coat of Arms; along the bottom edge: • ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA • (Czechia); along the top edge year of issue

in the centre a large stylised face value: 20, lower letter: H (HALÉŘŮ); inside digit zero a lime leaf; edge in a shape of a heptagon pointed downwards

reeded (90 serrations)

18 V 1998

31 X 2003

Jaroslav Bejvl (monogram after the face value at the right edge of the reverse)

Bižuterie Česká Mincovna a.s. (Jewellery Czech Mint JSC), Jablonec nad Nisou (mint mark below lion's paw on the obverse)

1997	10	test of the new design
1998	51 135 904	15 000 in annual boxed sets
1999	20 820 622	17 000 in annual boxed sets
2000	31 466 085	23 000 in annual boxed sets
2001	44 425 000	11 500 in annual boxed sets
2002	20 000	17 000 in annual boxed sets
2003	22 200	22 000 in annual boxed sets

The lion has been a symbol of the Czechs for nearly 800 years. It derives from the medieval Premyslid dynasty. The peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993 and the rise of the Czechia re-established the dynastic lion to the national Coat of Arms. According to the rules of the heraldic art every piece of the Arms should be presented in a way that expresses the militancy and prowess. An intensive parliamentary debate was concerning especially the lion's male attribute. The heraldic art prevailed and the lion took the pose of full combat readiness.