This is a Czechoslovak ducat from 1923. Like all ducats from the 13th century onwards, it has a diameter of 19.75 mm, a weight 3.49 g of gold, and a purity 986.6/1000.
This coin was minted between 1923 and 1939. It was a commercial coin, but at the same time a state promotional coin. Its appearance is a continuation of all previous ducats. It is designed to look old.
The coin depicts the patron saint of the Czech lands, Saint Wenceslas.
Wenceslas was one of the first Czech princeps at the beginning of the 10th century. He was probably murdered in 935 in the presence of his brother Boleslaus. Religion played no role in the conflict between the two brothers, yet Wenceslas became a martyr.
His grandmother, who was murdered on the orders of her daughter-in-law, also became a martyr. Religion played no role in her death either. It was a simple power struggle.
Many of our churches and chapels are dedicated to St. Wenceslas or his grandmother. You'll see many statues of them. Most of them are valuable works of art.
The coin also bears the inscription:" Saint Wenceslas, let us not perish, nor our descendants". This is the beginning of the Czech Catholic prayer from the 12th century. The cult of St. Wenceslas is still alive in our country today.