Gold half-ounce medal Construction of the Old Town Clock 2010 Proof

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Construction of the Old Town Clock - 600th Anniversary

The gold commemorative medal was issued by the Czech Mint in 2010, weighing 1/2 ounce (15.56 g) in purity of the purest 99.99% gold in top quality proof to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Old Town Clock. These gold medals are rarely seen and are therefore highly sought after by collectors and investors. The medal comes in a red plastic box along with a numbered certificate of authenticity in a very limited edition of only 600 pieces!

Old Town Astronomical Clock

The Old Town Astronomical Clock or Prague Astronomical Clock is one of the most famous astronomical clocks in the world. It is part of the southern wall of the Old Town Hall in Prague. It was constructed in 1410.

One of the oldest parts of the astronomical clock is the mechanical clockwork and astronomical dial from 1410. The clockwork was created by the clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaně, probably according to the design of Jan Šindel, who later became a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University. The Prague astronomical clock was only the third machine of its kind. The first astronomical clock was constructed in Padua in 1344. For a very long time it was believed that the clock was created in 1490 by the clockmaker Jan Růže (also called Master Hanuš) and his assistant Jakub Čech. Legend has it that Hanuš was eventually blinded so that he could never build a similar clock again. The stone decoration of the clock is probably the work of Peter Parléř's stoneworks, which operated in Bohemia until 1420.

Over the centuries, the clock stopped many times and was repaired many times. Probably in the 17th century wooden statues and figures of the apostles were added. From 1735 it was in critical condition and the Prague magistrate even intended to sell it for old iron. Antonín Strnad, a Czech patriot and meteorologist, professor at Charles University, who understood its historical value and sought to have it repaired, was instrumental in saving it. After a long effort he managed to convince the magistrate's council and then the entire municipality, which finally released the amount of money needed for the reconstruction. Under Strnad's expert supervision, the repair was carried out for 793 gold coins between 1787 and 1791 by the clockmaker Simon Landsperger. During the next major renovation between 1865 and 1866, a sounding rooster statue was added.

During the Prague Uprising in the last days of World War II, the clock was severely damaged in a fire at the Old Town Hall. After much effort, the repaired astronomical clock was put into operation in 1948. The last time the clock was reconstructed was in the autumn of 2005, when the statues and the lower circle were restored by Josef Mánes. The wooden statues were covered with pigeon netting.