A Century of HRT Immortalized on a Commemorative €2 Coin
The Croatian National Bank has put into circulation a coin dedicated to the 100th anniversary of radio, with numismatic editions going on sale on August 20.
The Croatian National Bank has put into circulation a coin dedicated to the 100th anniversary of radio, with numismatic editions going on sale on August 20.
A hundred years since the first radio signal in Croatia now has its own metallic monument. In mid-July 2026, the Croatian National Bank put into circulation a commemorative €2 coin named "100 Years of Croatian Radiotelevision," marking a century since Radio Zagreb began broadcasting.
It was the first program, transmitted on May 15, 1926, at 8:30 PM on a wavelength of 350 meters on the medium wave band, that laid the foundation for what is today Croatian Radiotelevision, the legal successor to Radio Zagreb and the central national media house in the Republic of Croatia.
The legendary words "Hello, hello, Zagreb" opened a media story that, over the decades, brought together informative, cultural, musical, educational, sports, and entertainment content. From those early radio days to the modern television and digital era, HRT has left an indelible mark on daily life, culture, and the collective memory of generations.
The national side of the coin is dominated by a depiction of radio waves arranged in five rows. This simple yet symbolic motif evokes the first radio signals and the beginning of the journey from radio to television. The artistic design is by academic sculptor Karlo Gross, while the coin itself was minted at the Croatian Mint.
In addition to the regular circulation version, the Croatian Mint has prepared special editions: a coin in blister packaging and one in proof quality. The blister version comes in brilliant uncirculated quality in specially designed packaging that further emphasizes the anniversary theme. The proof version is delivered in a box with a numbered certificate from the Croatian Mint.
Both special editions will be available for purchase through the Croatian Mint's web shop starting August 20, 2026, with more detailed information about the sale and the edition itself published on the Mint's website.
