50 euro cent SLOVAKIA (from 2009)

above the coin centre a view of the Bratislava Castle from south-east; below year of issue; on the left Slovak coat of arms; along the bottom edge: SLOVENSKO (Slovakia); at the edge a ring of twelve five-pointed stars - symbol of the European Union

right from the centre face value 50, below in two lines: EURO / CENT; on the left a map of Europe; in the background of the map vertically six parallel lines ending on both sides with five-pointed stars (the reverse is common for all euro coins)

reeded

1 I 2009

still in circulation

Ján Černaj, Pavol Károly (monograms after SLOVENSKO on the obverse), Luc Luycx (initials LL after 50 on the reverse)

Mincovňa Kremnica (Kremnica Mint), Kremnica (mint mark before SLOVENSKO on the obverse) 

2009	59 316 900	+ 95 100 in boxed annual sets
2010	-	+ 65 000 in boxed annual sets
2011	-	+ 49 000 in boxed annual sets
2012	???	+ 39 000 in boxed annual sets

The Bratislava castle hill was inhabited already five thousand years ago. This strategic location between the Alps and the Carpathians, as well as at the ford across the river Danube was used to build today’s most important castle in Slovakia. As early as in the 11th century it was one of the strongest fortresses in the Kingdom of Hungary and after the attack of Ottoman Turks on Hungary in 1531 the castle became the seat of the king and of the royal attributes. This lasted until the decision of Queen Theresa of the Habsburg dynasty, who moved residence to Vienna in 1765. Already 50 years later the castle was destroyed by Napoleon's army and fire. The ruins turned into barracks survived both world wars and only in 1957 started their renovation. The main work was completed in 1968, after which the castle was opened to public as the Slovak National Museum.

photo licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0

The Kremnica Mint was established in 1328 and is one of the longest continuously operating manufacturing plants in the world.