The first commemorative coin issued by the National Bank of Slovakia is the 2-euro coin Trenčín and its significant recognition – the title of European Capital of Culture 2026. This prestigious title has been awarded by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union since 1985, aiming to promote the development of culture, the creative sector, and cultural cooperation across Europe.
In 2026, this title will be held by two cities – Slovak Trenčín and French Marseille. For each city, this recognition represents a unique opportunity to showcase cultural potential, revitalize creative industries, develop infrastructure, and strengthen the cultural identity of the region. The first Slovak city to receive the title of ECoC was Košice in 2013.
The commemorative 2-euro coin was issued with the aim of creating a representative memento that will remind the entire European territory that Trenčín is among the European Capitals of Culture in 2026. The competition for the artistic design of the coin was announced at the end of 2024. A total of 20 artistic designs from twelve authors were submitted to the expert committee. As a professional advisor, the program manager of the Trenčín 2026 project, PhDr. Vladimír Beskid, was also invited.
Winning Design
The first prize was awarded to BcA. Klára Fojtů, who in her design combined the most prominent landmark of the city – Trenčín Castle – with symbols representing the main areas of culture emphasized in the ECoC project. The coin thus features motifs reminiscent of visual arts, film, and theater, which the author conceived as imaginary pillars of cultural presentation of Trenčín and its European significance.
Emission Data
The coin will be produced in two versions:
- 5,000 pieces in proof version, packaged in a representative gift box,
- 1,995,000 pieces in standard quality, packaged in paper rolls intended for circulation.
These coins will be a dignified reminder of a significant period not only for the city of Trenčín but also for the whole of Slovakia, which, thanks to the year 2026, becomes a significant part of the European cultural scene.