The Czech Mint presents the general Albrecht von Wallenstein and Emperor Ferdinand II. on the gold coin from the free cycle which is dedicated to famous historical couples.

The first half of the 17th century brought only fear, oppression, plunder, blood and death to most Europeans. However, Albrecht von Wallenstein, descendant of an insignificant Bohemian family, managed to use this chaos to his advantage. He was driven by a morbid ambition and desire for wealth. He lived the turbulent times as a simple soldier, but quickly proved his organizational talents - the gift of seeing how the parts of a grand plan fit together and so climbed the career ladder. Then, when the Estates Revolt broke out in Bohemia, he showed his unwavering loyalty to Emperor Ferdinand II and became a faithful executor of his will. In addition to being a brilliant strategist, Wallenstein was also a cunning economist. He was fiercely intelligent, unscrupulous and held nothing sacred. The machinations with the real estate confiscated after the Battle of White Mountain or the deliberate devaluation of the currency, which drove the Bohemian kingdom into bankruptcy - these were just some of the ways how he got fabulous wealth. Through deft politics and exceptional martial art, Wallenstein became one of the most powerful men of his time. During the Thirty Years' War, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Catholic armies and, as generalissimo, stabilized the threatened monarchy. As a reward, he gained extensive territories and significant privileges. But even this was not enough for Wallenstein. His ambition had no bounds.  He conducted suspicious negotiations with his enemies, twisted his sovereign's orders and was even offered the royal crown by Czech statesmen in exile. It is therefore not surprising that Ferdinand II became convinced that an increasingly powerful servant was plotting against him. The Habsburg believed the rumours of Wallenstein's rivals and, without proof of guilt, approved his murder…

Academic sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů dedicated the reverse side of the coin to a double portrait of Albrecht von Wallenstein and Ferdinand II. A stick is thrust between the two men, who are facing each other, symbolizing their fateful split. The obverse side then presents two attributes - in the upper part, Wallenstein's horoscope, in which Johannes Kepler predicted his future, and in the lower part, Ferdinand's coin, which symbolises the monarch's sovereignty As the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the foreign licence of the island of Niue, they also bear its national emblem on the obverse side, the nominal value of 100 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2024.

Two legendary personalities, two ounces of gold and only 200 coins!