Evident LogoOlympus Logo
InSight Blog

Czech Mint Spot Checks the Purity of the World’s 2nd-Largest Gold Coin Using the Vanta XRF

By  -
Czech crown resembling the world’s second largest gold coin made by the Czech Mint for the 100th anniversary of the koruna. The gold coin’s purity was validated by the Vanta XRF analyzer.

For the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovak koruna, the Czech National Bank (CNB) produced a gold coin with a nominal value of 100 million CZK (around 4.3 million USD). The coin was a symbol of the “100 years of the koruna” celebrations, during which it was exhibited at the Imperial Stables of Prague castle.

On-the-Spot Gold Analysis Throughout Production with X-Ray Fluorescence

It is the second largest gold coin in the world, made of pure gold, weighing 287 pounds (130 kg), and more than a foot and a half (0.5 m) in diameter. Manufactured by the Czech Mint in Jablonec and Nisou, the gold coin was analyzed during production using a Vanta™ handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. Vanta analyzer models are available that can perform the XRF analysis of gold, gold alloys, and other precious metals as well as standard alloys. The Czech Mint used the Vanta XRF to check the purity of the gold coin at each phase of production.

XRF gun testing the purity of gold (Au), ensuring 24 karat gold is being used for second largest gold coin in the world

The results on the Vanta handheld XRF analyzer confirm the coin is 99.9% gold (Au).

Facts about the Second Largest Gold Coin in the World

The Czech Mint won the tender for the gold coin. The semifinished coin was created by casting almost pure gold (999.9 according to the millesimal fineness system). The coin was then milled into relief with a design by academic sculptor and medalist Vladimir Oppl. One side of the coin emphasizes the birth of the Czechoslovak currency with a stamp from 1919 and the CNB logo. The reverse side of the coin features the Czech lion and the motif from a one-koruna coin from 1922.

Visit the official page of the coin, or watch the documentary, “Heavyweight Gold Coin,” to learn more about its production.

Heavyweight 24 karat gold coin being tested using X-ray spectroscopy with an XRF gun.XRF gun measuring the gold content of a large gold coin at the mint where it was produced

The Vanta handheld XRF analyzer being used to test the coin at the Czech Mint.

Learn more about Vanta XRF for precious metals analysis.

Related Content

Worth Its Weight in Gold: Detecting Counterfeit Jewelry with XRF

All That Glitters Isn’t Gold: How to Spot Fake Bullion

What is X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Get In Touch
Marketing Specialist, Analytical Instruments

Michelle Wright has more than nine years of experience in marketing communications and works in the analytical instruments business at Evident to promote X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers. She works closely with product, engineering, and application groups to assist with launching new products, creating webinars, and writing application notes.

styczeń 9, 2020
Sorry, this page is not available in your country
InSight Blog Sign-up
Sorry, this page is not available in your country
Let us know what you're looking for by filling out the form below.
Sorry, this page is not available in your country