2017 - Niue 2 NZD Set of Two Silver Coins Reliquary of St. Maurus - Proof

The reliquary of Saint Maura together with coronation jewels are the most precious relics of the Czech Republic. A set of two silver coins of the Czech Mint captures its unique charm.

The so-called house reliquary is a case hiding the remains of St. John the Baptist and St. Maura but also St. Apolinar and St. Timothy and proves the extraordinary wealth of Romanesque goldsmiths. A sophisticated work had to be created in one of the leading artworks of the Middle Ages, but it has not been determined yet. The reliquary differs from other contemporary works so much that it can not be compared. The walnut kernel box has a rectangular ground plan of 140 to 42 cm and 65 cm high. The luxurious decoration of the reliquary is a showcase of reliefs that are outstanding for their inventive composition, and the statue of saints, whose execution is unusually lively and expressive. The decorations are made of precious stones, filigree, antique gems and emails with Old Testament scenes. The ancient monument was restored several times - the last time it was picked up under the floor of the chateau in Bečov nad Teplou, where it was forgotten for several decades and dilapidated. The scope of the repairs was unprecedented. It was necessary to revive the forgotten medieval goldsmith´s technologies and develop completely new restoration techniques. The result today is admired by people from all over the world.

The academic painter Vladimír Pavlica, who converted his plastic decoration into commemorative coins is one of the admirers of St. Maura's reliquary. When creating the reverse sides of the coins, he came out of the front walls of the box, dominated by the statues of St. Maurus and Jesus Christ. Both characters are drawn in a typical medal maker´s style and are adorned with selective gilding in the spirit of original statuettes made of gilded silver. The obverse sides of the coins are then devoted to the nominal value of 1 DOLLAR (NZD), the portrait and the name of the Emperor Elizabeth II. and the year of the issue 2017 – i.e the attributes of Niue Island, an issuer that licenses the Czech Mint to coin its own coins. Apart from that there are two angels in the composition of the obverse side.

A certificate of authenticity with illustrations by Vladimir Pavlica is a part of each pair of gold-plated silver coins.