Silver medal George of Poděbrady proof

This medal commemorates the introduction of euro as of 1 January 1999 and George of Poděbrady (Jiří z Poděbrad) as father of the idea of European cooperation. From 1452 to 1458 he was the administrator of the Czech Kingdom and from 1458 to 1471 the Czech king. His capabilities rank him among the most significant rulers of the Czech state. In poeple’s memory he was preserved thanks to Alois Jirásek novels as the Hussite king and the last “national“ ruler.

The obverse side of the medal features in the forefront the effigy of George of Poděbrady and in the background an outline of the Týn Church where – according to a legend – his heart is buried. During the reign of George of Poděbrady the Týn Church was completed – he initiated the construction of the North Tower. His statue was placed on the Týn Church as well as the words "Truth wins" and a big Hussite chalice until the Jesuits removed it. The words in circumscription read: “Jiří z Poděbrad – tvůrce myšlenky evropské spolupráce“.

One of the symbols of the Czech statehood, a lion, is featured on the reverse side encircled in the upper part by stars which relate to the EU flag and, in the lower part, the words reading “Pamětní medaile k zavedení eura 1.1.1999“ (i.e. medal commemorating the introduction of the euro 1 January 1999).