Why do we celebrate the 14^th February as St. Valentine’s Day? Why do people give their loved ones presents and send them romantic SMS messages? Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day probably took its name from a priest who was put to death as martyr about AD 270 by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus. According to legend the priest feel in love with his jailer’s daughter and send her a letter signed “from your Valentine“. A couple of centuries later (in AD 496) Pope Gelasius I replaced the Roman festival of Lupercalia held in mid-February with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14^th century. First documented love-cards, or poems, today called “valentines“, were sent by a young French duke from prison in 1415. The celebration of St. Valentine’s Day gradually became very popular and spread to many countries.

On the obverse side, designer Zuzana Hubená played with the most typical symbol of love – hearts of various sizes – interwoven and touching each other. Two glossy hearts glitter in the field of the medal. The hearts are complemented with a dove as a general symbol of peace and love, and laurel leaves. Antique acanthus which symbolizes St. Valentine’s Day and the traditional celebration links individual features. Laurel leaves substitute the almond -tree blossom, a traditional gift of lovers in the past.

On the obverse side of the medal there is a scroll with an inscription “Díky, že jsi”. A myrtle twig decorates the upper and lower part of the medal.

The rim of the medal is decorated with “string of beads“, a popular ornament that originated in the Classical times and was often used in our lands from the Renaissance.

Unlimited edition.