Silver 10oz Medal Coronation of Maria Theresia - UNC

Maria Theresa was the only reigning woman in the history of our country. The Czech Mint commemorates her coronation as Queen of Bohemia by issuance of a silver commemorative medal.

At the beginning of the 18th century, clouds were gathering over the Habsburg Empire. Its head was Charles VI, the last surviving representative of an ancient dynasty, who, with no male heir in sight, was in despair. The longed-for heir to the throne arrived in 1717. However, a girl - Maria Theresa was born after all. Her father had placed all his hopes of preserving the family in her. He may have paved the way to the throne for the young monarch by issuing a pragmatic sanction, but he could not prepare her for what would happen when she sat on it. With everyone claiming her rightful position, or at least part of the indivisible fiefdom, power struggles - the so-called Wars of the Austrian Succession - were unleashed. While Silesia was invaded by King Frederick II of Prussia, Bohemia was invaded by the Bavarian Elector Charles Albert, who seized Prague in 1741. Although he was not crowned, as the Czech crown jewels were hidden in Vienna, most of the Czech Estates recognised him as King of Bohemia. However, he did not enjoy his false title of “King of Bavaria“ for long. The victorious Austrian troops entered Prague in 1743 and of that year, Maria Theresa was crowned Queen of Bohemia in St. Vitus Cathedral on May 12. The lavish court ceremony, in which the Habsburgs accepted the crown from the Archbishop of Olomouc, was an act of reconciliation, but the first and last Czech Queen could not forget the Czech estates' betrayal for a long time…

The obverse side of the medal, which is the work of Mgr. Petr Horák, presents Maria Theresa with a scepter in her hand and the St. Wenceslas Crown on her head. The composition of the obverse is completed by the description KORUNOVACE MARIE TEREZIE ČESKOU KRÁLOVNOU 12. 5. 1743. The crown of the Czech kings can also be found on the reverse side of the medal, where it is accompanied by a view of the interior of St. Vitus Cathedral.

A large medal pays tribute to the great woman - the weight of the silver coin is ten troy ounces.