Charles IV. is almost unconditionally considered to be the greatest Czech of all time. However, the numerous acts for which he deserves the title Father of the Country would not be possible without a man standing by his side. It was Arnošt of Pardubice, therefore, the quarter-ounce gold coin of the Czech Mint pays tribute to him.

Arnošt came from the family of the Pardubice lords, and he entered into history as the first Czech Archbishop. During his studies in Broumov, Bologna and Padua, he gained excellent education and it was Italy, where he met the future Charles IV. He became his adviser and close friend, and in 1347 - 670 years ago - he crowned him the Czech king. He also crowned the King's wife Blanc of Valois. It was not just such a ceremony - Arnošt of Pardubice was the first Czech church dignitary to whom the Pope granted the right to crown the Bohemian King (the Archbishop of Mohuče crowned the Czech King in the establishment of the Archbishop of Prague). However, this is not all that Arnost had in common with Luxembourg. In his presence he consecrated the cornerstone of St. Vitus Cathedral, he ruled the whole country during the absence of the king, he became his diplomat, and contributed significantly to the establishment of Charles University, where he then served as chancellor. According to historical sources, he was tall, handsome, noble and generous. He had an extraordinary knowledge and was an excellent speaker. His friend Francesco Petrarca, a Renaissance writer and poet, was also enthusiastic about him, and he had a great chance to become Pope.

A memorable Czech coronation became the motif of the reverse side of the coin. "Charles IV. has his back turned, because at this peak moment he does not yet have a major role. It belongs to the Archbishop, representing the power of God, " explains the author of the coin academic sculptor Michal Vitanovsky and adds that Arnost's face is based on a bust placed in St. Vitus Cathedral. "The czech character of the scene is accentuated by the St. Wenceslas Crown and it also includes both coats of arms. The left belongs to the Prague bishopric, the right belongs to lords of Pardubice," continues the medal maker. The composition of the reverse side is supplemented by two Gothic traces and together with an inscription of ARNOŠT OF PARDUBICE - THE FIRST CZECH CORONATION OF THE CZECH KING. The obverse side of the coin has a nominal value of 10 DOLLARS (NZD), the name and portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. and the year of the issue 2017 - the attributes of the coin issuer of the Czech Mint, which is the island of Niue. "The horizontal assembly of broken arches recalls not only the ruling style of the period in which the archbishop lived, it also represents a complicated journey, not dissimilar to a labyrinth, leading to the highest degree of power. It is represented by an empty throne, a peak of power that attracts everyone who has enough ambition and faith in his own abilities," concludes Michal Vitanovsky.

A coin dedicated to one of the most important characters in our history is released in a mere 200 pieces.