Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Euro 2022, Slovakia, 300th Anniversary of the First Steam Engine for Pumping Water from Mines
  • 2 Euro 2022, Slovakia, 300th Anniversary of the First Steam Engine for Pumping Water from Mines
Description

The atmospheric engine was invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712 and is often referred to simply as a Newcomen engine. The engine was operated by condensing steam drawn into the cylinder, thereby creating a partial vacuum that allowed the atmospheric pressure to push the piston into the cylinder. It was the first practical device to harness steam to produce mechanical work. Newcomen engines were used throughout Britain and Europe, principally to pump water out of mines.

Isaac Potter (1690-1735) was an English engineer and designer. Potter was recruited by Joseph Emanuel Fischer to travel to Austria to construct Newcomen engines. The silver mines of the Austrian Monarchy were constrained by flooding. The waterwheels had reached their technical limits, and water supply was limited. A successful transfer of technology saved the Habsburg state from bankruptcy: the steam engine replaced waterwheels in the battle against pit water.

The first atmospheric steam engine of the Monarchy was constructed in 1721 in Königsberg bei Schemnitz in what is now Slovakia. In the following year, another was constructed at the Schwarzenberg Palace. Both engines were built by Isaac Potter and Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach. Potter improved the control of the engine imported from England and from 1730 he successfully built further installations in the Slovakian coalfields.

Obverse

The artistic design is based on a technical drawing by the author of the machine - the English technician Isaac Potter, which he captures in a distinctive linear scheme. The image is so clear that it can revoke the operation of the mechanism in the entire height of the mining work.

The issuing country “SLOVENSKO” and the years “1722 • 2021” are shown on the right. On the left edge of the picture, in addition to Potter's signature, the mint marks of the mint in Kremnica and the mint designer Peter Valach. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer coin ring.

The coat of arms of Slovakia, the mintmark of the Kremnica Mint (MK) and initials of the mint designer Peter Valach (PV) on the left. Country name and dates on the right.

The coat of arms of Slovakia consists of a shield, in early Gothic style, charged with a double-cross standing on the middle peak of a mountain consisting of three peaks. Extremities of the cross are amplified, and its ends are concaved. The double-cross is a symbol of its Christian faith and the hills represent three symbolic mountain ranges: Tatra, Fatra (made up of the Veľká Fatra and Malá Fatra ranges), and Mátra (the last one is in northern Hungary).

PV
Isaac Potter
SLOVENSKO
1722•2022

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

Slovak Republic in Slovak with two stars and linden leaf between

★ SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA ★

2 Euro

300th Anniversary of the First Steam Engine for Pumping Water from Mines

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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kremnica Mint (MK)

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