The double-barreled pistol of Charles V is one of the oldest surviving European firearms. The Czech Mint has paid tribute to it with a silver coin.

Charles V of Habsburg, who was one of the most powerful men on the planet in the 16th century, could boldly declare: "The sun never sets on my empire!" He was the sovereign ruler of two powerful empires – King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor. As he was also a lover of firearms, his dual rule was symbolized by a unique double-barreled pistol. It was made for him in 1540 by German gunsmith Peter Peck, who equipped it with two wheel locks. When the trigger was pulled, the wheel, which had been wound up with a key, spun, striking sparks and igniting the gunpowder. This mechanism was much more advanced than, for example, a matchlock. However, it was also much more expensive, which meant that only the wealthy could afford it. It was also significantly more complex, and Peck drew on his experience as a watchmaker in its manufacture. Thanks to two locks and two 11.7 mm barrels, the emperor could fire twice in succession without having to reload the weapon in between. The pistol was also a work of art. The handle was made of cherry wood, ivory, and deer antler, and the steel parts were covered with gold. The lavish decoration of the 49.2 cm long weapon was done by German engraver Ambrosius Gemlich. While the double-headed eagle was the symbol of the Roman emperor, the Pillars of Hercules symbolized the Spanish crown. The scene of hunters pursuing their prey referred to a favorite pastime of the powerful, and the Latin inscription Plus ultra, which was the Spanish motto, recommended not standing still, taking risks, and striving for perfection. It is no wonder that hundreds of years later, the rare pistol became an admired exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York...

Medal maker Petr Horák placed a general view of the pistol on the reverse side of the coin, complementing it with two details. While the lower part of the reverse side features a pair of wheel locks, the upper part shows an example of the weapon's decoration in the form of a hunting scene. As the license to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is provided by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary attributes – the state emblem, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2025. All this is imaginatively incorporated into a shooting target.

The coin is stored in an elegant leather case.