In 2025, the fifth Ducat series of the Czech Mint was created, intended primarily for Slovak collectors and investors. This comprehensive set of four gold ducat coins tells the story of Elisabeth of Bavaria, better known as Sissi.

When the German princess became the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, she was not prepared for what the Austrian court had in store for her. Her busy husband, who ruled a vast multi-national empire, had little time for his wife, and her strict mother-in-law tried to restrain the unbridled 16-year-old with rules of court etiquette. Sissi may have outwardly conformed and blended in perfectly with the 19th century elite, but inwardly she remained stronghead. She rode her horse despite the reproaches, was always on the move and expressed her unwanted love for Hungary. However, an unhappy double life, which was full of personal tragedies, caused Sissi depression and other psychological problems. She was obsessed with her appearance and combined morbid starvation with excessive physical exertion. She loved movement and exercise and had herself weighed several times a day. At 172 centimetres tall, her weight never exceeded 50 kilograms, a tenth of which was her well-groomed hair. She spent several hours every day taking care of it, and her royally paid court hairdresser always had to count how much hair was left on the comb. Although Sissi and Franz Joseph fell in love at first sight, their relationship cooled over time - the Empress even sanctified her husband's relationship with his mistress. But their love did not fade. When Sissi died by unfortunate circumstances at the hands of an Italian anarchist, the monarch never fully recovered from her death...

Each mintage represents a different chapter in the Empress's life story:

• Ducat: Obsessed with Beauty

• Double ducat: Adventurer

• Five Ducat: Wife and mother

• Ten Ducat: Wedding

The ducat is dominated by a bust of the charming Sissi with an intricate hairstyle and exposed shoulders. The two-ducate presents an unrestrained Sissi with flowing hair in a mountain setting and two tiny medallions depicting her riding a horse. The five-ducat features Sissi and her beloved youngest daughter Valeria, but also the Emperor, with the aloofness of the ruling couple clearly evident. The joint reverse side is then dedicated to the empress's coat of arms, which combines the symbolism of the Habsburg-Lorraine and Wittelsbach families. All this is the work of the medal maker MgA. Petra Čánská. The ten-ducat, which was prepared by the medal maker Lenka Nebeská, DiS., differs from the rest of the set. It is a newly minted replica of the wedding medal of Elisabeth of Bavaria and Franz Joseph I. You will find a snapshot from the wedding ceremony and busts of both newlyweds.

The set of ducats is placed in a luxurious wooden etui supplemented with a special certificate of authenticity, which tells the story of Sissi's life. The issue run is only 50 sets.