50 haleru Czechia (1993-1997)

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

in the centre a large stylised face value: 50 combined with a letter: H (HALÉŘŮ)

six plain and six reeded sections (6 serrations each)

12 V 1993

31 VIII 2008

Vladimír Oppl (initials VO in short lettering at the left edge of the reverse)

Hamburgische Münze (The Hamburg Mint), Hamburg, Germany (coins in year 1993);
Bižuterie Jablonec a.s. (Jewellery Jablonec JSC) (name in years 1993-1995);
Bižuterie Česká Mincovna a.s. (Jewellery Czech Mint JSC) (name in years 1995-2004), Jablonec nad Nisou (coins in years 1993-2003)

(relevant mint mark at lion's paws on the obverse)

1993	70 003 000		20 000 in annual boxed sets
1993	30 474 000		30 000 in annual boxed sets
1994	20 917 795		30 000 in annual boxed sets
1995	30 940 140		22 400 in annual boxed sets
1996	35 904 000		26 040 in annual boxed sets
1997	25 713 443		15 000 in annual boxed sets

1993 - a) coins with a mint mark of the Hamburg Mint or b) with a mint mark of Jablonec Mint;

1993 Jablonec - b) there exist coins struck in Al97Mg3 alloy when different planchets were tested on October 1, 1993 (ca. 56.000 pieces were produced);

1994 - a) digits "9" in year of issue opened or b) fully closed

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.