Gold coin Švihov Castle

Preparation of designs for the coin – competition conditions (pdf, 1.3 MB) – in Czech only
Technical preparation of the coin – competition results – in Czech only

On 1 October 2019 the Czech National Bank is issuing the eighth gold coin from the Castles cycle. It features Švihov Castle. The coin is minted from 999.9 purity gold 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. Normal quality coins have milled edges. The coin is 28 mm in diameter, weighs 15.55 g and is 1.9 mm thick. Deviations in diameter of 0.1 mm and thickness of 0.15 mm are allowed. Upward deviations in weight of 0.062 g and in gold content of 0.01% are allowed.

On the obverse side of the coin, in the upper part of the coin field, is a composition of three heraldic animals from the large national coat-of-arms of the Czech Republic depicted in shields. Below the composition of heraldic animals is a representation of the interior of the Švihov Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and in the foreground is a depiction of its altar. At the left edge of the coin is the text “ČESKÁ”, and at the right edge is the name of the cycle “HRADY”. The denomination of the coin and abbreviated monetary unit “5000 Kč” and the text “REPUBLIKA” are indicated below the altar. The mark of the Czech Mint, in the form of the letters “Č” and “M”, is situated to the right of the altar.
The reverse side of the coin shows a view of the castle courtyard through a Late Gothic archway. At the left edge of the coin is the text “HRAD”, and the text “ŠVIHOV” is at the bottom edge, with the year of mintage “2019” at the right edge. The initials of the designer of the coin, Luboš Charvát – made up of the intertwined letters “L” and “Ch” – are located to the left of the text “ŠVIHOV”.

Each coin comes with a red 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.