Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor. Pater Patriae. The greatest Czech. All these titles belong to Charles IV, the ruler who made Prague the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and its glory did not fade even after centuries. Hit cultural legacy has persisted to the present day, among other things also thanks to beautiful architectural monuments that he had built.

Czech Mint has prepared for you a unique expedition to the Czech past – limited collector series comprising three commemorative medals with motifs of monuments connected with the reign of Charles IV. The series present the most significant works of the most beautiful period in the history of the Czech lands – St. Vitus’ Cathedral, Karlštejn Castle and Charles Bridge.

Charles Bridge spans the Vltava River and links the Old Town with the Lesser Quarter. It is over 500 meters long and it is supported by 16 piers. Two Lesser Quarter Bridge Towers – the taller and the lower one – were built at the western end of the bridge; the Old Town Bridge Tower closes the bridge at the other end. The bridge is a unique outdoor art gallery as it is decorated by 30 primarily Baroque statues and sculptural groups. The oldest of them is the statue of John of Nepomuk from 1683; which is believed to protect Prague against floods. In 1393, on the order of Wenceslas IV, John of Nepomuk was tortured and his body was then thrown from the bridge to the Vltava River. At the very spot there is the well-known metal cross on the stone railing.

In the place where the bridge is situated, there used to be logs tied together allowing to cross the river. In the 10th century a wooden bridge is already documented. This bridge was however often damaged by floods. Therefore around 1170 Vladislav II had a stone one built which was named Judith Bridge. But even this bridge collapsed in the flood of 1342 and only a Roman relief from this structure was preserved inside the lower Lesser Quarter Bridge Tower. The foundation stone of the Charles Bridge was laid in 1357 by Charles IV who summoned architect Peter Parler to build it. The latter also left his unforgettable imprint in St. Vitus’ Cathedral, as well as in the Old Town Bridge Tower. The bridge, originally known as Stone or Prague Bridge, was built from sandstone blocks and was completed in 1402. It was the only bridge in Prague spanning the Vltava until 1845. It was named after Charles IV no sooner than in 1870.

The author of the design for one-ounce medal made of fine silver refined on the surface with pure gold is the exceptionally successful creative artist from Jablonec M.A. Josef Oplištil. He depicted Charles Bridge in its total length viewed from the Old Town Bridge Tower towards the two towers in the Lesser Quarter. The reverse side is dominated by the effigy of the ruler surrounded by noted buildings and structures that he initiated during his reign. The text on the reverse includes name of the series and also years of the king’s birth and death. The medal will be struck in a limited edition of 2,000 pieces.

The medal Charles Bridge connects affordability of silver with the elegance of gold. Do not let yourself be mistaken by lower attention paid to silver by the media. Compared with gold, silver has several advantages. Silver mining has for a long time lagged behind the demand and the mines supply is becoming depleted. Moreover, the entire 85% of this metal are consumed by industry. Silver will always be needed and, if the economy grows, the demand for silver will grow as well, and, consequently, its price.