For this spring Czech Mint prepared another unique project – a gold bullion coin denominated 250 NZD and with the same weight as 100ducat. The coin is dedicated to Wenceslas IV, King of Bohemia and King of the Romans, a significant member of the House of Luxembourg, son of Charles IV and Anne of Świdnica.

Czech Mint invited leading Czech medallist Jaroslav Bejvl to design the coin. The obverse side is dominated by the portrait of Wenceslas IV and his famous sign: a kingfisher and “věník“. The bird symbolizes true love, it is believed to be able to protect against lightning, multiply hidden treasures and calm storms. “Věník“ – a towel knotted into a ring – is a sign of the barbers’ guild and an ancient emblem of love. Along with these symbols the author placed here biographical data of the king. The reverse side features the sign of Wenceslas, the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination of the coin 250 NZD and the issuer: Niue Island.

After the death of Charles IV the older of his two sons Wenceslas IV got the throne. Despite his excellent education duties of a ruler did not seem to interest him much and he preferred his hobbies, especially game hunting. He was opposed by the Czech nobility, as well as by his brother Sigismund; he also provoked frequent disputes with the church because he sympathized with the Reformers and issued the Decree of Kutná Hora. During his reign the Czech kingdom, as well as the entire Europe, experienced hard times. The plague spread all over and the country was threatened by thieves, robbers and looting knights. Common people were losing their confidence in church where power struggle raged and where, instead of fulfilling their mission, priests, monks and popes only accumulated property and impoverished believers by selling indulgencies. This period culminated with the Hussite Wars but Wenceslas IV did not live to witness them as he died in 1419.

A work of art made of gold is an ingenious combination of a clever investment and pursue of noble collector’s passion. The mintage of the gold bullion coin 250 NZD 100ducat of Wenceslas IV is strictly limited to 50 pieces.