From the series of gold commemorative coins issued by the Czech National Bank (ČNB) dedicated to the castles of the Czech Republic (2016–2020), I am offering for sale the sixth issue of the series – Rabí Castle, released on 18 September 2018.
This gold commemorative coin of 5,000 CZK in Standard (business strike) quality is part of the prestigious ten-coin series and features Rabí – the largest castle ruin in Bohemia, rising on a rocky promontory above the gold-bearing River Otava near Sušice.
The castle was most likely established in the early 14th century in the form of a massive residential-defensive tower (donjon) – the second largest of its kind in Bohemia after Karlštejn – and served to guard the trade route between Sušice and Horažďovice as well as the rich gold-washing sites along the Otava. During the 15th and 16th centuries Rabí was repeatedly enlarged and reconstructed; the total length of its walls and artillery bastions reaches nearly three kilometres, and its defensive system was among the most advanced in Europe of its time. Rabí entered history indelibly during the Hussite Wars: at the second siege in July 1421, the renowned Hussite commander Jan Žižka of Trocnov lost his second, and therefore last, eye here. The key figure in the castle's history, Půta Švihovský of Rýzmberg (c. 1450–1504), Chief Land Justice and diplomat at the court of Vladislaus Jagiellon, transformed Rabí at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries into an impressive residential centre – the reconstruction was likely carried out with the involvement of master builder Benedikt Rejt. The castle's final destruction came with a fire in the first half of the 18th century, after which the abandoned complex was used as a source of building stone by surrounding villages. Rabí has been a national cultural monument since 1978.
The obverse features an aerial view of the castle complex, with stylised heraldic animals from the Great Czech State Emblem incorporated into the fortified bastions. The reverse depicts a detailed view of the surviving castle buildings. The Czech National Bank's board selected the design of medallist Asamat Baltaev, DiS., as the one that "best represents the monumentality of the castle ruin"; the coin was struck at the Czech Mint (Česká mincovna, a.s.).
Struck in fine gold 999.9 with a weight of 1/2 oz (15.55 g), this coin was issued in a strictly limited mintage of only 3,100 pieces in Standard quality, making it an attractive combination of precious metal investment value and numismatic rarity.
The coin is housed in its original plastic capsule and red ČNB presentation box. It has never been removed from the capsule. The lot includes the original ČNB certificate card and the designer's card bearing the artist's signature.
The coin and certificate will be dispatched promptly within 1–2 business days of payment being received, via fully insured registered mail through Česká pošta (Czech Post).
International shipping is available by prior arrangement with the buyer regarding postage costs.