Silver thaler to the Birth of a child - balloons proof

Our ancestors gave money to newborns for good luck. A talisman in the form of a precious metal coin was usually given to a child in the families of wealthy nobles and poor peasants by a godfather or godmother. The coin was placed in the cradle, giving rise to the expressions "do vínku" (into the swaddle blanket) and "do peřinky" (into the blanket), which are still used today in connection with gifts for babies. The "dowry coins" spread in the Czech lands during the Renaissance, and after the establishment of Czechoslovakia, the state began to issue the so-called St. Wenceslas ducats, which quickly became popular for this purpose, and the Czech Mint continues this tradition to this day. It will be a silver thaler with a stork motif in 2026.

In ancient times, storks were worshipped all over the world. In ancient Egypt, these noble birds symbolized piety and justice, in China immortality, and in Europe they brought new life. Germanic pagans believed that the swamps were home not only to frogs, which are a favorite delicacy of storks, but also to the souls of unborn children. Storks hunted these souls and placed them in the bodies of future mothers. Weddings were held during the summer solstice celebrations at the end of June, and when the storks returned home from warmer climes in the spring, many newlyweds were expecting their baby. The idea that children are carried by storks was reinforced by the fact that the stork itself is a caring parent that devotedly looks after its offspring. The superstition has survived into modern times and for hundreds of years has helped parents to avoid sensitive conversations with the older siblings of newborn babies. Where did the baby come from? The stork brought it! Why is mommy lying in bed? The stork pecked her! Children gladly accepted this explanation...

The stork carrying a bundle in its beak was featured on the reverse side of the silver thaler by medal maker Veronika Prokopová, DiS. The obverse side depicts a flying pram suspended by balloons.

Do not miss the other versions of the coin to the birth of a child – in our offer for 2026, you will find two different precious metals and special versions that can be engraved with a dedication.