Set of two silver coins Saint Vitus Treasure - Cross of Pope Urban V selective gold plating proof

The fifth set of two silver coins from the Czech Mint’s open series, dedicated to St. Vitus’s Treasure, commemorates the significance of the cross bearing a relic of Cross of Pope Urban.

When Saint Wenceslas acquired the relic from the shoulder bone of Saint Vitus in the 10th century, he likely had no idea that he was beginning the history of one of the greatest cathedral treasures in Europe. The St. Vitus Treasure found its home in the St. Vitus Rotunda. Prince Wenceslas had it built at Prague Castle, where the cathedral of the same name later rose. The diverse collection of breathtaking liturgical objects of incalculable value was expanded by the Přemyslids, Luxembourgs, Jagiellons, and Habsburgs. It included ornate reliquaries, monstrances, embroidered vestments, coronation jewels, and much more… In the 14th century, the treasure grew significantly with the addition of the remains of saints. This was largely due to the deeply devout Charles IV, who considered himself a man chosen by God and who sought to cement his role as ruler with the help of these relics. During his reign, two golden crosses were created—they were used in Czech coronations and stored relics of Jesus Christ himself. The first casket contained a nail and splinters from Christ’s cross, thorns from his crown, the rope with which he was scourged, and the sponge used to administer vinegar to him. The second cross protected a fragment of Christ’s linen cloth, which the Czech king received as a gift from Pope Urban V. It is almost certain that the monarch himself contributed to the design of the cross alongside outstanding artists. On the gold casket, he had himself and his son Wenceslaus IV, Pope Urban V, and his successor, the deacon Pierre Roger de Beaufort, depicted, and of course also Jesus with the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John. The figurative engravings were filled with black niello and surrounded by precious stones.

The two-piece set is the work of academic sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů. The reverse side of the first coin features an overall view of the cross and a detailed depiction of Charles IV with Wenceslaus IV. On the second reverse, you will find a view of the crystal casket containing the relic and a detailed depiction of Urban V with Pierre Roger de Beaufort. The obverse side, which is common to both coins, is dominated by another depiction of the cross, complemented by a detailed motif of the crucifixion.

Since the license to issue commemorative coins for the Czech Mint is provided by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse sides also bear its necessary attributes – the national coat of arms, the nominal value of 2 DOLLARS (NZD), and the year of issue, 2026.

Both silver coins in the set are embellished with selective gold plating.