On 21 March 2025 Banka Slovenije published a tender for designing drafts of occasional coins to be issued in 2026. Tender was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 13/25 and on the Banka Slovenije's web page. By the end of the tender on 12 May 2025 we received 24 drafts for a commemorative coin to mark 150th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Cankar and 16 drafts for collector coins to mark the Year of the poet Srečko Kosovel.
The Commission for issuing occasional coins, established by the Banka Slovenije and the Ministry of finance of the Republic of Slovenia, decided to award the following drafts for designing a commemorative coin to mark 150th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Cankar:
prize (€4,000) for draft with code 1414 – author: Adam Breznik;
prize (€2,000) for draft with code 3377 – author: Edi Berk.
In accordance with the commission's decision, the third prize in the amount of €1,300 is not granted.
Draft with code 1414 presents an excellent transfer of contour lines from the vertical raster of the Ivan Cankar sculpture, situated in front of the Cankarjev dom cultural centre, into a concentric arrangement that reinforces Cankar’s archetypal image. Draft is an excellent example of a contemporary numismatic interpretation of the portrait, one that transcends tradition and enters into a dialogue with the present day.
Based on the decision the the Commission for issuing occasional coins the following drafts for collector coins to mark the Year of the poet Srečko Kosovel are awarded:
prize (€4,000) for draft with code K801 – authors: Miha Žargi in Aleš Učakar;
prize (€2,000) for draft with code AB<123 – author: Gašper Fabijan;
prize (€1,300) for draft with code Gnojjezlato – author: Jani Bizjak.
Draft with code K801 presents a creative approach to the technique of collaging basic visual elements and the dynamics of typographic phrases, maintaining coin's legibility in all directions on both sides. It is a bold interpretation that captures the spirit of Kosovel’s Constructivism through a vibrant composition - a fine example of translating the poet’s working principles onto a coin.
Occasional coins are suggested to be minted based on the drafts awarded with first prize. The Government of Slovenia will make the final approval of the drafts based on which occasional coins will be minted.