2024 - Niue 1 NZD Silver Coin On Wheels - Motor vehicle Z 6 Hurvinek - Proof

On Wheels 2024

The First Republic passenger cars of the Czechoslovak Arms Factory were distinguished by their simplicity and efficiency. The Z 6 type, nicknamed Hurvínek, was famous as an affordable folk car for the broadest classes. The Czech Mint pays tribute to it by issuance of the twenty-first silver coin from the Na kolech series.

The Brno Czechoslovak Armaments Factory was a giant engineering company. As its eloquent name reveals, it was engaged in the production of weapons. In the peaceful 1920s, however, its management decided to come up with a complementary production programme and chose automobiles. The first car with the characteristic letter Z on the radiator rolled off the production line at the end of 1924. The Brno designers were able to repeatedly come up with interesting technical innovations and thus created the first mass-produced car with a double-stroke engine in Europe and the first Czechoslovak car with front-wheel drive. In the mid-1930s, “Zbrojovka“ offered several types of cars. The most popular was the middle-class car Z 4 - the so-called Strong Four. The Z 5 Express was a luxury type, designed for wealthy customers. However, Zbrojovka's offer lacked a car for the majority of buyers, which would be simple, reliable and, above all, inexpensive. The board of directors therefore decided to produce a people's car. The new car Z 6 was introduced in the spring of 1935 and immediately gained popularity. It was truly affordable. The initial price was set at 19,800 CZK and was later reduced to 19,200 CZK. In a discount sale, the car could be bought for just 16,500 CZK. However, the low quality was a tribute to the affordable price. Customers often complained about the poor driving characteristics. The car was nicknamed Hurvínek - a popular wooden puppet was used by the carmaker in advertising. Its serial production was terminated in 1936 and the last examples were assembled from the remaining parts in 1937. A total of 500 pieces were produced. Production was terminated by decision of the Ministry of National Defence. The escalating situation in Europe required the Czechoslovak Armaments Factory to devote itself fully to its military programme. Even after the end of the Second World War, production of passenger cars could not be resumed. However, the experience that Zbrojovka had gained during the First Republic was not wasted. They were used in the design of Zetor tractors…

The reverse side of the coin, which is the work of the medal mker MgA. Martin Dašek, is dominated by a depiction of the Z 6 car from a three-quarter view. The additional motif of the relief are curves emphasizing the streamline shape of the body. As the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the licence of a foreign issuer, which is the island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary elements - the national emblem, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2024. Following the title of the collector's cycle, the perimeter of the obverse side consists of segments of wheels of various means of transport.

An integral part of the coin is a narrative packaging in the form of a cardboard book, which contains accompanying text and period photographs.