The first gold mini coin of the Czech Mint from the Slovak branch of the Patrons series is dedicated to the Apostle Saint James the Elder.

The name James was very popular in antiquity and in Christian legends there is a number of its bearers, who are distinguished by various attributes. In addition to James the Just, the brother of Jesus, there are two apostles in particular - James the Alphaeus, who is known as the Younger or Lesser, and James of Zebedee, who is called the Elder or Greater. The fisherman Zebedee and his wife Salome had a son, John, in addition to James. Both brothers became fishermen and devoted themselves completely to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He called them sons of thunder because of their zeal and boisterous temperament. Along with Peter, they were among the privileged apostles who participated in the most important and intimate events in the life of the Messiah. After Jesus' death, John became an evangelist, and James and Peter built the early church in Jerusalem. Finally, James was the first of the apostles to be martyred... As one of the greatest saints, James the Elder is the patron saint of many professions - for example, workers, pharmacists, druggists and warriors. He helps with rheumatism and arthritis and is the patron saint of good weather and bountiful harvests.

The Apostle is often depicted with the Book of the Gospel, a pilgrim's staff and a scallop shell, referring to the Spanish legend of the knight who was rescued from the water by the “scallops of St.James“ at the intercession of James. The half-figure of the saint with all these attributes was depicted by the medal maker David Kružliak on the reverse side of the coin. The patron is surrounded by the Slovak-English inscription SVÄTÝ JAKUB STARŠÍ – SAINT JAMES THE GREATER. The obverse side then presents the profile and name of the monarch Elizabeth II, the year of issue 2021 and the nominal value of 5 DOLLARS (NZD) - or the attributes of the island of Niue, which provides the Czech Mint with a foreign licence to mint its own commemorative coins.

The gold coin weighing one half gram is set in a special Slovak-English packaging. It will serve as an affordable gift as well as an original addition to your collection and will become a good luck charm.