The Czech National Bank's gold coins with a nominal value of 10,000 CZK are always dedicated to the most important national anniversaries. The CNB's design competition, themed around the 1100th anniversary of the beginning of the reign of Prince Wenceslas, brought together the best of the Czech medal-making scene, and it is a pity that only one winning design could be chosen. The Czech Mint therefore selected a motif from the most beautiful unrealised designs for the gold coin, which we issued in the form of a silver commemorative medal.

Saint Wenceslas is one of the most important figures in Czech history. He is revered as the first saint of Czech origin, the heavenly protector of all Czechs and the guarantor of our sovereignty. But was he really that unattainable ideal during his lifetime? Was he a brave knight, a pious prince and a holy martyr? Did he truly long for monasticism and want to renounce worldly honours? It is impossible to say with certainty. Most of the information about the 10th century – a time when Christianity was taking root and the long process of establishing Czech statehood was underway – comes from idealised legends. Even so, we know that Wenceslas was the son of the Přemyslid prince Vratislav and his wife Drahomíra, who, although she had converted to Christianity, was not particularly charitable. Wenceslas was raised by his pious grandmother Ludmila. When Vratislav died, Wenceslas was still a minor, so Drahomíra took over the reign. She expelled Christian priests, destroyed newly built churches and eventually had Ludmila murdered. When Wenceslas finally ascended the throne, he put an end to this rampage. For ten years, he ruled as his grandmother had taught him – kindly, justly and godly. The country prospered, even after Wenceslas was defeated in battle by the German ruler Henry I. He managed to preserve the sovereignty of the Czech lands at the cost of submitting to the German Empire. However, Wenceslas' younger brother Boleslaus could not bring himself to accept this. Their fratricidal feud then became an integral part of our national identity...

Medal maker Jiří Hanuš, DiS., who received a special award for his design in the Czech National Bank's art competition, dedicated the obverse side of the medal to Saint Wenceslas in the form of a knight sitting on a rearing horse. It is interesting to note that Wenceslas was tall, with a narrow face and, contrary to popular belief, probably had light hair. The time when he came to power is not documented in historical sources. However, it can be proven that he ruled in the autumn of 925, when he had the remains of Saint Ludmila transferred to Prague, and so we symbolically commemorate this year... A rotunda is visible in the background of the obverse. Other elements of Romanesque architecture – namely columns with unbroken arches – then permeate both sides of the medal. The reverse relief features heraldic animals – the Czech lion, the Moravian eagle, the Silesian eagle and the flaming eagle, also known as the St. Wenceslas or Přemysl eagle.

The silver medal will be a welcome addition to any collection and a memento of this important anniversary.