2023 - Niue 5 NZD Gold Coin Armored Vehicles - KV-1 - Proof

Armored vehicles

The sixth gold coin of the Czech Mint from the series Armored Vehicles features the Soviet KV-1 tank, which served during World War II.

In the 1930s, the Soviets focused on developing heavy tanks that were used to create breakthroughs in enemy defences. However, the clunky multi-towered monsters proved to be a development dead end. The designers were therefore tasked with designing a more conventional tank that would be less bulky but still retain impressive armour. The first examples of the new type were shipped to Finland, where they were successfully proven in the Winter War. The heavy tank, which was adopted into armament under the designation KV-1, entered series production and after the Third Reich attacked the Soviet Union, it prepared an unpleasant surprise for the Nazis. It had no rival on the battlefield in the first months of the war. Its armour was almost bulletproof. There were some cases where a Soviet machine destroyed several enemy tanks, was hit many times, and yet remained combat capable. However, the KV-1's undeniable qualities were neutralized by the lack of training of tankers, who engaged in dangerous close-quarters combat instead of destroying the enemy by firing from a safe distance. Moreover, as the Third Reich developed ever more powerful weapons, the Soviet giants quickly lost their invulnerability, making way for more versatile medium tanks.

The reverse side of the commemorative coin, which is the work of medal maker Petra Patky, DiS., presents two depictions of the Soviet tank - the three-quarter view is supplemented with a side silhouette. The composition is completed by an inscription of KV-1 and a detail of the tank belt. The belts can also be found on the obverse side of the coin, which is common to the entire tank series. As the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary elements - the national emblem, the nominal value of 5 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2023.

The coin is supplemented with a spectacular packaging in the form of a catalogue card full of period photographs, interesting facts and tactical data. The individual cards can be stored in a collector's case that you can also find in the offer.