Gold Ducat to the Birth of a Child 2019 - Proof

There are many rituals associated with celebrating the newborn child. One of them has its roots long time ago and  consists in giving babies a gold coin. For that reason the Czech Mint prepared a gold ducat to the birth of a child for anyone who wants to honour the old czech traditions.

The custom to give a newborn baby precious metal jewels as a present first appeared in the Czech lands by the nobility, especially by the Rožmberks family in Renaissance times. They gave decorative gold buttons which have been gradually replaced by gold coins in their descendant´s cradle. This custom soon became so popular that spread among all classes of the population. Money, usually a gold ducat dedicated by a godfather or godmother, should ensure that the baby will not suffer in the future. Parents cherished this gift that became the first investment in newborn baby´s life and at the same time a good luck charm until its maturity. Babies got St. Wencleslas ducats as a present after the foundation of an independent Czechoslovakia, and the Czech Mint continued with this beautiful historical tradition after 1993.

The ducat for 2019 was designed by the talented medal maker Lenka Nebeská, DiS. The obverse side was dedicated to the sleeping baby in parents hands, together with the inscription DUCAT TO THE BIRTH OF CHILD 2019. The reverse side then belongs to the traditional children´s toy - a rocking horse.

Each gold ducat is stored in a thematic gift wrapping. This allows you to insert a photo, birth data and personal dedication.