The relief of the fifth silver coin in the series representing the Treasures of Ancient Civilisations features two prehistoric monuments - the Venus of Willendorf and the Lascaux cave paintings.

• The tiny limestone sculpture, which represents a plump woman, is only 11 centimetres high, yet it contains an incredible story of our ancient ancestors. The Venus of Willendorf, estimated to be 25,000 years old, has detailed sexual features and is a testament to the artistic skill of prehistoric people and their respect for femininity and motherhood. But it is also evidence of their ability to travel long distances. The statuette was found in Austria, but the unusual material it was made from is likely to have come from an area 730 kilometres away in Italy or even 1,600 kilometres away in Ukraine.
• The existence of prehistoric people was a daily struggle for life. They found refuge from danger and hardship in caves. The vast Lascaux cave complex in south-west France would have been an ideal home, but although it was regularly visited by ancient hunters, it did not serve as a dwelling. It was a sacred place. Through thousands of rock carvings and hundreds of murals dating back up to 17,000 years, extinct animals come to life here. Mineral pigments give them a realistic appearance and the uncanny perspective gives the impression of movement. The art gallery may have been a showcase for past hunting successes, but it was also a ritual spell to ensure future abundance.

The reverse side of the commemorative coin by the academic sculptor Ľudmila Cvengrošová presents detailed depictions of the two landmarks - the Venus of Willendorf and the herbivorous animals of the Lascaux Cave. As the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its necessary elements - the national emblem, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2024.

Our products are usually placed in protective capsules, but in this case we have made an exception. Because the coins from the Treasures of Ancient Civilizations series stand out in high relief, we want to give you the opportunity to touch it! In addition to the patina, the silver coin is also covered with a special protective film which will make sure that it does not lose its shine...