The stone bridge in Písek on a CNB gold coin
The Czech National Bank is today putting into circulation a CZK 5,000 gold coin depicting the Gothic bridge in Písek. The first coin from a new five-year cycle entitled “Bridges of the Czech Republic” commemorates one of the most precious architectural and technical monuments in the Czech Republic.
“Owing to its unique nature, we have chosen the 700-year-old Gothic bridge in Písek to open this new cycle devoted to important Czech and Moravian bridges. It is the oldest preserved stone road bridge in the Czech Republic,” said CNB Board member Pavel Řežábek.
The main motive of the face side of the gold coin depicting the Gothic bridge in Písek is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk that is located on the bridge. The reverse side of the coin depicts a bird’s eye view of the bridge. The coin was designed by the sculptor Zbyněk Fojtů.
The coin is minted from 999.9 purity gold in two quality versions. A total of 2,600 pieces will be made in normal quality, and 6,900 pieces will be proof quality coins with a polished field and a matt relief.
The stone bridge in Písek across the Otava river was built in the 13th century. At 111 m long and 4.5 m wide, it is the oldest preserved stone road bridge in the Czech Republic of this size.
The cycle “Bridges of the Czech Republic”, which follows the previous successful cycles “Ten Centuries of Architecture” and “Industrial Heritage Sites”, will present a total of ten important Czech bridges on CZK 5,000 gold coins in 2011–2015. Coins featuring the Gothic bridge in Písek and the Renaissance bridge in Stříbro will be issued in 2011.
Commemorative coins in the years ahead will depict the Baroque bridge in Náměšť nad Oslavou, the Negrelli Viaduct in Prague, the wooden bridge in Lenora, the railway bridge in Žampach, the Jizerský Viaduct on the railway line between Tanvald and Harrachov, the reinforced concrete bridge in Karviná-Darkov, the Žďákov arch bridge and the Marianský bridge in Ústí nad Labem.
Marek Petruš, CNB spokesman
More detailed information and picture of of the coin