Silver coin 200 CZK Consecration of Saint Wenceslas Chapel in Saint Vitus Cathedral proof

The sanctuary that is still dear to the whole nation was consecrated in 1367, which means 650 years ago. It was St. Wenceslas' chapel at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, whose origin was associated with some of our most prominent ancestors. This is why the silver coin 200 CZK of the Czech National Bank in extraordinary quality proof belongs to this event.

The construction commenced in 1362 was treated with extraordinary humility. The chapel, as its name suggests, is located above the grave of our most important patron prince Wenceslas - in the place of the rotunda that Wenceslas had built around 930, the later  basilicas from 11th century and the present-day cathedral from the 14th century. A simple  sanctuary from the outside and inwardly costly decorated shrine with a high canopy of the star vault was the work of Peter Parler and Charles IV himself. It was completed in 1366 and solemnly consecrated by Charles IV the following year.

The design of the academic sculptor Zbynek Fojtu won by "the high quality representation of the architectural elements of the chapel and the exceptionally good statue of St. Wenceslas" in the competition of the Czech National Bank. On the reverse side of the coin there is a statue inspired by Peter Parler's decoration of the shrine in the form of polished precious stones embedded in gilded stucco. The obverse side is then dominated by the view of the vault of the chapel.

All the commemorative coins issued by the Czech National Bank are handed out to you by the Czech Mint in Jablonec nad Nisou.