The relief of the eighth silver coin in the series representing the Treasures of ancient civilizations features many of the landmarks of ancient Rome.

• At the height of its glory, the Roman Empire ruled most of the then known world. Unimaginable territories stretching from Great Britain to Egypt were won in wars of aggression. Over the centuries, the Romans conquered all sorts of peoples with different languages, religions and cultures. For example, the conquest of Judea is still commemorated today by the emperor Vespasian's sestertius. This commemorative coin from 71 AD, inscribed IVDAEA CAPTA - Judea subdued - bears the eloquent symbolism of a weeping Jewess.

• In the conquered areas the Romans then asserted not only their power but also their civilisation. Some aspects of it were progressive. In France, for example, the three-storey, 49-metre-high Pont du Gard aqueduct, built in the 1st century AD to supply the city of Nîmes, still stands. It could bring up to 20 000 m³ of water a day. Not far from Rome itself, in the port of Ostia Antica, another achievement of ancient society has been preserved - the marble public toilets.

• But other aspects of Roman civilisation were barbaric and cruel. The amphitheatre in the Tunisian city of El-Ḥej, which is now the best-preserved Roman coliseum, was the scene of matches in which gladiators fought to the death from the 3rd century AD onwards. 35,000 bloodthirsty spectators watched.

The reverse side of the commemorative coin processed by the academic sculptor Ľudmila Cvengrošová presents detailed depictions of the El-Jem amphitheatre, the Pont du Gard aqueduct, the public toilets in Ostia Antica and Vespasian's sestiere. Other Roman memorabilia that adorn the reverse include a gladiator's helmet, a legionary's standard and a plate with the abbreviation SPQR, which denoted the Senate and the people of Rome. 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 attributes - the national emblem, the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD) and the year of issue 2024.

Our products are usually stored 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 embossing is also covered with a special protective film that will ensure that it does not lose its shine...