Gold Coin 10000 CZK Princess Ludmila 2021 Proof

Extraordinary mintage of gold coins - Princess Ludmila 1100th anniversary of her death

The reverse side of the coin bears a portrait of Princess Ludmila with a veil and a princely crown. The inscription "PRINCESS LUDMILA" and the years "921 - 2021" are placed in the description of the coin. The initials of the designer "FZ" are included.

The obverse of the coin depicts the murder of Princess Ludmilla, who, according to Velislav's Bible, was strangled with a shawl or veil. The name of the state "CZECH REPUBLIC" is placed in the upper part of the coin and below it heraldic animals from the large state emblem. In the centre is the Czech lion, to the left of it the Moravian eagle and to the right of it the Silesian eagle. At the lower edge of the coin is the face value '10 000 CZK'.

The first Czech and Slavic saint, Princess Ludmila, is considered to be the foremother of the Czech rulers. She was the wife of the first documented Czech ruler of the Přemyslid family, Bořivoj I, and the grandmother of the patron saint of the Czech nation, St. Wenceslas.

The daughter of the prince of Pšov, Slavibor, she was born around 860 and was brought up as a pagan. As part of a strategy to consolidate the power position of the princely families, she was married at the age of 14 or 15 to Bořivoj I, who came from a prominent family of the Přemyslids. By their marriage, the Přemyslids expanded the territory of Central Bohemia to include the area around today's Mělník. According to surviving records, the couple had three sons and three daughters during their fourteen years together. Only Spytihnev and Vratislav, who also ascended the princely throne, are known.

A key historical moment was the adoption of Christianity, which also strengthened the Přemyslids' political influence over other principalities. According to legend, she, her husband and retinue were baptised directly by the Slavic high priest Methodius in 882 in Great Moravia. Princess Ludmila became a fervent Christian and brought up her offspring in this faith as well.

After the death of Bořivoj, she remained active in power and oversaw the succession of her immature sons. The princess survived both Spytihnev and Vratislav and took over the upbringing of Vratislav's son, the future Prince Wenceslas. This brought Ludmila into conflict with her daughter-in-law Drahomira, who was to represent Václav. A difference of opinion on the international situation and the influence on the future prince led to the conflict escalating and Ludmila being murdered.

According to the Latin legend The Suffering of Ludmilla the Martyr (Fuit in provincia Boemorum), the murder took place at the Tetín fortress on 15 September 921. According to historical sources, she was deliberately strangled with her own veil or shawl so that blood would not be spilled and she would not be canonised. Drahomíra had the church of St. Michael built on the site of her death. The miracles occurring at the site of her death were thus to be attributed to the saint. In 925, Prince Wenceslas had his grandmother's remains transported to Prague, where they were deposited in St. George's Basilica at Prague Castle.
St. Ludmila became a martyr and together with St. Wenceslas became the patron saints of the Czech lands. Their legacy was the basis for the power of the following rulers of the Přemyslid family. Princess Ludmila was canonized in 1143 - 1144.