Gold coin Gothic bridge in Písek

Preparation of designs for the coin – competition conditions (pdf, 1,2 MB) – in Czech only
Technical preparation of the coin – competition results – in Czech only

Starting in 2011, the Czech National Bank is issuing a new cycle of gold coins, devoted to bridges in the Czech Republic. The first coin in this cycle will be issued on 25 May 2011. It depicts the Gothic bridge in Písek, which is the oldest preserved stone bridge in the Czech Republic, dating back to the end of the 13th century.

The design of the coin was selected in an unlimited anonymous competition, for which 17 designers submitted a total of 22 plaster models. The models were assessed by the Commission for the Evaluation of Designs for Czech Banknotes and Coins, with Jiří Hladký, author of a book on the Písek bridge, as expert adviser. The design by the sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů won the first prize and was recommended for realisation. Second prize was awarded to the design by Josef Šafařík and third prize went to the design by Jaroslav Bejvl. The CNB Bank Board agreed with the Commission’s recommendation and approved the realisation of the coin designed by Zbyněk Fojtů.

The Czech Mint has minted coins from 999.9 purity gold in two quality versions (normal and proof) differing in surface treatment and edge marking. Proof-quality coins have a highly polished field, a matt relief and a plain edge, while normal-quality coins have milled edges. The coin has a diameter of 28 mm, a weight of 15.55 g and a thickness of 1.95 mm.

The obverse side of the coin depicts a composition of heraldic animals from the large national coat-of-arms: the Czech lion is at the top, with the Moravian eagle and the Silesian eagle below. Located on the left is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk from the Písek bridge. The name of the state in Czech “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA”, the denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “5000 Kč” and the name of the cycle “MOSTY” are situated around the edges of the coin. The mark of the Czech Mint is located above. The reverse side of the coin depicts a bird’s eye view of the bridge. The right-hand edge of the coin features the text “GOTICKÝ MOST V PÍSKU”. The year of mintage “2011” is located on the left-hand upper edge, and next to it are the initials “ZF” of the designer of the coin, the sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů.

Each coin comes with a red catalogue card containing a description and the relief of the coin.

The Czech National Bank does not sell its commemorative coins to private individuals directly, but through entities licensed to trade in numismatic material.