Numismatics
300th anniversary of the Škofja Loka Passion
The Škofja Loka Passion (Processio Locopolitana) was written in 1721 by the Capuchin Father Romuald – Lovrenc Marušič, and is the oldest preserved dramatic text in the Slovenian language. It stands as one of the greatest achievements in Slovenian literature of the Baroque era. It is also the only completely preserved directorial passion play in Europe from the beginning of the 18th century.
The text of the Škofja Loka Passion is composed of verse monologues, which are arranged into 13 depictions taken from the Bible. The aim of the Passion was to make stories from the scriptures more accessible to simple folk, and thereby help them overcome everyday troubles and steer them towards conversion.
The Škofja Loka Passion is performed during Lent and Easter in the form of a procession through the streets and squares of the old town centre of Škofja Loka. Groups of performers move through the town, enacting in dramatic form individual scenes from the
Old and New Testaments, along with various allegorical depictions. The entire performance involves the participation of around 1,000 volunteers and 80 horses.
The Republic of Slovenia is issuing collector coins to mark the 300th anniversary of the Škofja Loka Passion. The central element of the design is a cross, with the meeting point of the straight lines representing the centre of the events – the streets of Škofja Loka. Around the cross on the front side of the coin, three broken lines represent not just the auditorium but also the crown of thorns. Each of the 13 vertices of the crown represent one of the depictions in the Škofja Loka Passion. Despite this being just a partial depiction of the crown, it is perceived as a circle which in some way reflects the cyclical performing of the Passion.
| Gold coin | Silver coin | Bi-coloured collector coin | Bi-coloured collector coin - proof |
| Nominal value: EUR 100 Weight: 7 g Diameter: 24 mm Purity: Au 900/1000 Issued: 500 coins |
Nominal value: EUR 30 Weight: 15 g Diameter: 32 mm Purity: Ag 925/1000 Issued: 1,000 coins |
Nominal value: EUR 3 Weight: 15 g Diameter: 32 mm Alloy: centre Cu Ni / ring Cu Zn Ni Issued: 40.000 coins |
Nominal value: EUR 3 Weight: 15 g Diameter: 32 mm Alloy: core Cu Ni / ring Cu Zn Ni Issued: 750 coins |
| Issue date: 12. 5. 2021 | Issue date: 12. 5. 2021 | Issue date: 12. 5. 2021 | Issue date: 12. 5. 2021 |
Suggested by: Municipality of Škofja Loka
Designed by: Matej Štanta, Miren
Minting: Mincovňa Kremnica š.p., Kremnica, Slovakia
Decree on the volume of issue, components, denominations and main features of collector coins issued on the 300th anniversary of the Škofja Loka Passion; Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 152/20.
EUR 3 bi-coloured collector coin in plastic capsule
Banka Slovenije prepared EUR 3 bi-coloured collector coin for issuance to mark the 300th anniversary of the Škofja Loka Passion in proof quality and packed in plastic capsule. 750 pieces were minted and are available for purchase from 12 May 2021.
The list of Banka Slovenije's numismatic products and their availability as well as their price can be found at the following web page.