Silver Coin 200 CZK Monetary Reforms Wenceslas II 700th Anniversary 2000 Proof

Monetary Reforms Wenceslas II - 700th Anniversary

The dominant feature of the obverse side is the large state emblem in the lower part slightly overlaid with a fragment of the seal of Wenceslas II. The name of the state CZECH REPUBLIC is in an unsealed copy across the top from left to right (on the imaginary clock face between 8 -12- 4). The state emblem slightly overlaps the letters 'R' and 'U' in the word REPUBLIKA. The nominal value of 200 CZK is in the line below the state emblem, 200 and CZK are divided by a fragment of the seal. The mark of the Czech Mint, Jablonec nad Nisou, which minted the coin, is located in the upper part to the right of the letter "Č" CZK.

On the reverse side there is a seated figure of King Wenceslas II on a throne with a depiction of the Prague grosz. The obverse side of the grosz is depicted on the right side and the reverse side on the left side of the king. At the top of the coin, the text "PRAGUE CASH ¦ 1300*2000" is placed in an unsealed copy. At the bottom edge of the coin, the text "Currency reform of Václav II." is in an unsealed description. The texts are slightly overlaid with a figure and a depiction of a grosz. The coin was designed by the academic sculptor Jiří Věneček. The initials of his name "jv" are placed to the right of the upper part of the base of the throne.

Wenceslas II (27 September 1271 Prague - 21 June 1305 Old Town Prague) was the sixth Czech and first Polish king of the Přemyslid dynasty. He was the son of King Přemysl Otakar II of Bohemia and his second wife Kunhuta. After Přemysl's death at the Battle of Moravian Field in 1278, Ota V became the guardian of the seven-year-old Wenceslas. He decided to take the boy to Brandenburg in order to maintain control over the situation in the country. After several years of turmoil, famine and an uncertain political situation, Ota agreed to Wenceslas' return to Bohemia. Only twelve years old, Wenceslas finally took over the government, but the main role was played by the new partner of Wenceslas' mother, Záviš of Falkenstein.

Záviš's influence was only temporary; the teenage Wenceslaus imprisoned him and, after his execution, began an expansion into Poland, where he succeeded in conquering Lesser Poland and also gained power over most of Upper Silesia. After the death of his father-in-law Rudolf of Habsburg, he did not support his brother-in-law Albrecht's candidacy for the Roman throne, but pushed for the election of Count Adolf of Nassau. Adolf, however, failed to fulfil his election promises and Wenceslas participated in his downfall and the re-election of Albrecht of Habsburg. In the following years, Wenceslas continued his policy of territorial expansion, winning the Polish crown in 1300 and the Hungarian crown for his son Wenceslas III a year later. The growth of Přemyslid power led to the formation of an anti-Bohemian coalition, which included, in addition to the Roman King Albrecht, the pretender to the Hungarian throne, Charles Robert of Anjou, and a rival to Přemyslid power in Poland, Vladislav Lokýtek. In the autumn of 1304, enemy troops invaded Bohemia and laid siege to Kutná Hora. Albrecht failed to draw Wenceslas to a decisive battle and after the unsuccessful conquest his army retreated as winter approached. Wenceslas was unable to capitalize on this victory because his worsening tuberculosis, which had been causing him considerable health problems for some time, caused his early death.

During his reign, Wenceslas relied more on the art of diplomacy than warfare, exploiting the vast mineral wealth, especially silver, that was found in Bohemia at the time. He succeeded in stimulating economic development and foreign trade with the introduction of the Prague grosz, and the creation of a new mining code, the Ius regale montanorum, defined the role of the state in relation to mining activities. Václav was active in literature and was a great patron of minesengr.

Each silver coin is stored in a protective plastic capsule and placed in a dark blue box along with a certificate of authenticity from the CNB.