2023 - Niue 1 NZD Set of two Silver Coins St. Vitus Treasure - Relics of st Wenceslas - Proof

The set of two silver coins of the Czech Mint, which commemorates the significance of the relics of St. Wenceslas, is the second issue of a free series dedicated to the St. Vitus treasure.

When St. Wenceslas acquired the relic from the shoulder bone of St. Vitus in the 10th century, he probably had no idea that the history of one of the greatest temple treasures in Europe had been started. The Rotunda of St. Vitus became the home of the St. Vitus treasure. Prince Wenceslas had it built at Prague Castle, where the cathedral of the same name was later built. The diverse collection of breathtaking liturgical objects of incalculable value was expanded by the Přemyslids, Luxemburgs, Jagiellonians and Habsburgs. It included decorated reliquaries, monstrances, embroidered vestments, crown jewels and much more... After the murder of St. Wenceslas, his own relics - a skull, a weapon and armour - became an integral part of the treasure. By order of Charles IV, the St. Wenceslas Crown, which was used to crown Czech kings, rested on the saint's skull. Knights were then knighted with the St. Wenceslas sword. Other relics of Saint Wenceslas were his wire shirt and helmet. These early medieval monuments were functional and austere in appearance, so they were modified and beautified over time. The sword, for example, received a new hilt and the helmet a breastplate.

The two-piece set is the work of medal maker Lenka Nebeská, DiS. While the reverse side of the first coin is dedicated to the skull of St. Wenceslas, the second reverse features Wenceslas' armour and weapon. The additional motif is the symbol of the prince in the form of an eagle. Since the licence to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is granted by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse sides of both coins bear its necessary attributes - the national emblem, the nominal value of 2 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2023.

Both silver coins in the set are embellished with selective gold plating.