Watch List notes:

Czechoslovakia, 50th anniversary of the foundation, 1968, Medal, Proof; Czechoslovakia, 50th anniversary of the foundation, 1968 Medal, Proof, The 50th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia / The occupation of Czechoslovakia August 21, 1968. Silver 19.95 g, 35 mm. Jirí Harcuba designed this medal for 50th anniversary of the republic. He was finishing the medal in August 1968 and these circumstances had an influence on its design. On one side is a woman kneeling with a lime twig, as a symbol of the Czech state, she is being aimed at by five bayonets, which stand for five states that attacked Czechoslovakia, along with them a snake and also a date 21.8.1968. On the other side is a motto "Truth prevails" with presidential banner used from 1920 by Masaryk and later also by Dr. Beneš. The medal was probably made in Switzerland. A response to this protest medal was quick and Harcuba was imprisoned for whole four months for his courage. In tense times despite possible persecution from the State security (StB) three members of Czechoslovak philharmonics succeeded to bring three pieces into the country. Rare!
($1300)