500 Tolarjev (First Railway in Slovenia) 1996 front 500 Tolarjev (First Railway in Slovenia) 1996 back
500 Tolarjev (First Railway in Slovenia) 1996 photo
© World Coin Gallery

500 Tolarjev First Railway in Slovenia

1996 year
Silver (.925) 15 g 32 mm
Description
Issuer
Slovenia
Period
Republic (1991-date)
Type
Non-circulating coin
Year
1996
Value
500 Tolarjev (500&nbspSIT)
Currency
Tolar (1991-2006)
Composition
Silver (.925)
Weight
15 g
Diameter
32 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized
15 January 2007
Updated
2024-10-07
References
Numista
N#24828
Rarity index
87%

Reverse

Design within wheel designed circle

Script: Latin

Lettering:
PRVA ŽELEZNICA
1846 - 1996

Designer: Tomaž Košir

Edge

200 reeds.

Comment

On June 2nd 1846 rail traffic ran for the first time on the territory now known as Slovenia. On this day a ceremonial train pulled by the locomotives names "Aussee" and "Drau" arrived at Celje. The arrival of that first train on Slovene territorry represented a turning point whose effects are still felt today.
The railway between Graz and Celje, which was a section of the line between Vienna and Trieste, was laid out as early as the year 1842. A 190 m long tunnel was constructed at Sentilj, and across the Valley of Pesnica a 649 m long viaduct was built. The latter was the longest construction on the entire railway line and was made of bricks only. Bridges were, in principle, made of wood. The longest bridge was the one across the Drava River in Maribor , rising 26.2 m above the river and being 190 m long. There were 13 railway stations set up between Graz and Celje. A steam locomotive drove over the Pesnica Viaduct for the first time on May 2, 1846. The railway line between Maribor and Graz was unofficially tested on May 15.
The railway line reached Ljubljana in 1849, and Trieste in 1857. The goal of connecting Vienna , Ljubljana and Trieste was thus achieved. In 1858, the railway line was taken over by a private company owned by domestic and foreign investors, which named the railway line "The Southern Railway".
The railway is one of the few achievements of the industrial revolution which has not changed substantially up to the present day and, in spite of the rapid development of other means of transportation, still represents an indispensable element of the country´s economic progress.
To mark the 150th anniversary of the railway on the Slovene territory, the Republic of Slovenia hereby issues three commemorative coins.
Accessed at: https://www.bsi.si/en/banknotes-and-coins/slovenian-tolar/commemorative-editions-republic-of-slovenia/150-years-of-the-railways-in-slovenia-1996

Interesting fact

The 500 Tolarjev coin (First Railway in Slovenia) issued in 1996 features a unique design that showcases the first steam locomotive used on the Austrian Southern Railway, which ran through Slovenia in the 19th century. The coin's obverse side features a depiction of the locomotive, while the reverse side features a map of the railway line and the coat of arms of Slovenia. This coin is not only a beautiful collector's item but also a piece of history that highlights Slovenia's rich railroad heritage.

Price

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
1996  4000 - - - - - -

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 500 Tolarjev (First Railway in Slovenia) 1996 coin.