Gold coin Palladium of the Czech country proof

In times of trouble the Czechs asked their patron, Saint Wenceslas, for protection. Another strong symbol of protection to which worshippers turned with their prayers was the Palladium of the Czech Land. To highlight this precious relief with magical power and very long history Czech Mint dedicated to the motif of Palladium a gold Smart coin denominated NZD 25. The design of the coin was created by academic sculptor Vladimír Pavlica. The reverse features the motif of Palladium, while the obverse side bears the attributes of the issuer. It is a unique work of art with a great spiritual significance and, on top of that, it undoubtedly has a great investment value.

Palladium of the Czech Land is a tiny statuette, a wrought bronze relief plated with a thick layer of gold depicting Madonna with a child. Its origin is unclear; it is based on several legends reaching back to Saint Ludmila who purportedly received it from Saint Methodius. After her martyr death, it was inherited by her grandson Wenceslas. During the Hussite Wars, the chapel where it was kept was burnt down and Palladium was destroyed. In the 15th century, the pilgrimage place was rebuilt and a copy of the relief was made by an unknown artist. Its troubled fate continued until WW2 when it was secretly bricked up to prevent the Nazis from seizing it. At present it is kept in the pilgrimage church of the Ascension of Virgin Mary in Stará Boleslav where it is sought out by pilgrims who come here to prey for protection of the Czech country.