Commemorative silver coin to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Rudolf II

Preparation of designs for the coin - competition conditions (pdf, 917 kB) - only Czech version
Technical preparation of the coin - competition results - only Czech version

On 11 January 2012 the Czech National Bank is putting into circulation a CZK 200 commemorative silver coin to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Rudolf II. The coin is minted from an alloy containing 925 parts silver and 75 parts copper and is issued in two versions, normal quality and proof quality, which differ in surface treatment and edge marking. Proof-quality coins have a highly polished field, a matt relief and a plain edge with the inscription “ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ BANKA * Ag 0.925 * 13 g *”. Normal quality coins have milled edges. The coin is 31 mm in diameter, weighs 13 g and is 2.3 mm thick. As with any other coins, deviations in diameter of 0.1 mm and thickness of 0.15 mm are allowed. Upward deviations in weight of 0.26 g and silver content of 1% are permitted.

The obverse side of the coin features a transcription of an equestrian portrait of Rudolf II by Aegidius Sadeler. To the right of the portrait is the Bohemian lion in an oval. The oval is partly superimposed by the monogram of Rudolf II. The lower part contains a transcription of an engraving of 1606 depicting Prague, across which the inscription “PRAGA” is located. The name of the state in Czech “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” and the denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “200 Kč” are written around the left-hand, upper and right-hand edge of the coin. The coin was minted by the Czech Mint. Its mark in the form of the letters “Č” and “M” is located near the left-hand edge of the coin to the left of the hind legs of the horse. The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Rudolf II based on a period engraving by Aegidius Sadeler. To the right of the portrait of Rudolf II is the Habsburg eagle, partly covered by the portrait, and below the portrait is the Emperor’s signature. To the right of the signature are the years “1612–2012”. The inscription “RUDOLF II.” is located near the left-hand edge of the coin. The coin was designed by Majka Wichnerová, whose initials “MW” are located at the bottom right-hand edge of the coin.

Each coin comes with a cream-coloured catalogue card containing a description and the relief of the coin.

The Czech National Bank sells its commemorative coins through contractual partners licensed to trade in numismatic material.