There are many rituals associated with celebrating the birth of child. One of them has its roots in a long history, and leans on giving babies a gold penny. The Czech Mint has prepared a gold ducat for the birth of a child designated for anyone who wants to honor the old Czech traditions.

The tradition of presenting a newborn baby with precious metal jewels has first appeared in the Czech lands by the nobility, especially by the Rozmberk’s in Renaissance times. To their descendants they used to give a decorative gold buttons that were gradually replaced  with a gold coins in the cradle. The tradition soon became a fashion that spread among population. Money, usually a gold ducat, donated by godfather or godmother, should ensure that the baby does not suffer in the future. This attention, which has become the first investment in newborn baby’s life and at the same time a good luck talisman, was kept by the parents until maturity. After the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia, the role of a gift for a baby was taken by the St. Wenceslas ducats, and the Czech Mint continued with this beautiful historical tradition after 1993.

The design of the ducat of 2018 was made by a talented female medal maker Lenka Nebeská, DiS. The obverse side is dedicated to the sleeping baby held by his or her parents in the palm of their hands, together with an inscription DUCAT FOR BIRTH OF CHILD 2018. The reverse side then belongs to a traditional children’s toy - a rocking horse.

Each gold ducat is stored in a thematic gift packaging. This allows you to insert a photo together with birth data and your personal dedication.