Silver 1 kg bullion coin Czech Lion 2025 with Czech garnets stand

A unique edition of the Czech Mint's bullion coin Czech Lion is minted from one kilogram of pure silver and covered with cut precious stones. The embossed relief is supplemented with Czech garnets.

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Red as blood, full of mystery, passion and magical effects - this is the Czech garnet, which has no equal among precious stones.

Our ancestors used to search for small red stones washed away by the river. People believed that they were petrified drops of the blood of the gods and therefore attributed to them a number of supernatural qualities. Pilgrims used to carry them as a talisman to protect them from evil and light their way. Even the biblical Noah, according to legend, carried a garnet lamp on his ark to help him or her to navigate in the dark.

In the 13th century, during the reign of Emperor Charles IV, garnets became popular in Czech goldsmiths' workshops. The red mineral did not only shine on jewellery. Weapons studded with garnets were beautiful and also gave medieval warriors a sense of immortality - knights believed that precious stones would give them courage and protect them from injury. In addition to warriors without fear or reproach, garnets were also favoured by souls in love - the precious gift symbolising purity of heart and affection became part of romantic declarations of love.

The golden age of Bohemian garnets came in the era of Rudolf II, who liked to add them to his collections - he supported cutters and claimed the right of pre-emption for stones of exceptional size. It was the personal physician of the Habsburg Emperor who first used the term "Bohemian garnet" at the beginning of the 17th century. He used to add this mineral, which has healing power, restores vital energy, banishes sadness and strengthens desire, to drops and ointments.

The popularity of garnet jewellery grew at home and abroad and brought considerable wealth to the Czech lands. In order to protect the tradition of their processing, Empress Maria Theresa banned the export of raw garnets in 1762. In the following years, exceptional art works which experts and antique dealers rank among the most beautiful and valuable in the world, could be created without interruption. Jewellery with Bohemian garnets adorned, for example, the Russian Princess Tarakanova at the Congress of Vienna, which took place after Napoleon's fall in 1815, or Baroness Ulrika von Levetzow, who was presented with an Empire garnet by her admirer Johann Wolfgang Goethe.

At the time of the national revival, the Czech garnet became a symbol of patriots, and Czech nobles and townspeople were amazed by jewellery with red stones. Garnets were admired at exhibitions at home and abroad in the 19th century and the art of Czech jewellers remains a delight to the eye and soul in the 21st century. The latest work of art to which Czech garnets have lent their charm are the Czech Mint´s investment coins called Czech Liion.

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In 2025, all variants of the investment coin received a brand new relief, however, the main idea has remained the same. The reverse side is dominated by a realistic Czech lion wearing the St. Wenceslas Crown. The additional motif is an eagle, which is a synthesis of the St. Wenceslas, Moravian and Silesian birds of prey, together with the Czech flag. The author of the relief is traditionally the medall maker Asamat Baltaev, DiS. As the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the licence of a foreign issuer, which is the island of Niue, their obverse side bears its necessary attributes - the portrait of King Charles III, the nominal value of 80 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2025.

The issue limit is only 50 pieces and the coin is stored in a luxurious wooden box.