Gold ducat series CR 2026 - Charles IV - set of four medals stand

In 2026, the Czech Mint's traditional Ducat Series pays tribute to Charles IV. The comprehensive set of four gold coins is dedicated to his various interests.

Charles IV is often perceived as a mild, dignified and perhaps cold man, but in reality his life was full of passion. On the one hand, he was enthusiastic about great ideals – he lived and breathed for Czech statehood, which is why he was rightly called the Father of the Homeland. On the other hand, he also had a passion for ordinary human pastime, and it is precisely these weaknesses that provides this unrivalled giant a surprisingly human face. The king's little passions often grew into events that surprised the whole country:

• Ducat – Charles adored good wine. He enjoyed delicious wines from Burgundy, the Rhineland, and Austria, but when he saw the uncultivated hills around Prague, he ordered them to be planted with selected vines. In this way, he was able to enjoy the fruits of his beloved country, beautify it, and at the same time provide means of sustenance for its people.

• Double ducat – Charles was a passionate hunter. While hunting deer in the forests near Loket Castle, his dog fell into a pool of boiling water. When the monarch tasted the water, he found that the spring had healing properties. The pain in his leg, which had been troubling him, disappeared instantly, and thus Karlovy Vary was founded.

• Five ducat – Charles was a knight in heart and soul. He had been in many battles, and although it was not befitting his position, he found exciting entertainment in tournaments. Once his anonymous participation in the tournament proved fatal – a blow to the chin caused injuries that he survived only by a miracle.

• Ten ducat – Charles was a lover of women. As a young man, he was an experienced seducer, but as a ruler, he settled down. He was married to Blanche of Valois, Anne of the Palatinate, Anne of Schweidnitz, and Elizabeth of Pomerania, and although these were dynastic marriages in which diplomacy played a major role, he loved them trully.

The reverse side, which is common to all four coins in the Ducat series from the workshop of medal maker MgA. Petra Čánská, bears a portrait of the ruler with the Crown of St. Wenceslas on his head, complemented by the imperial monogram, the double-tailed Czech lion, and the double-headed imperial eagle. The obverse sides of the individual coins present idealized scenes – the monarch personally tending to a grapevine, accompanied by his dog visiting a hot spring, participating in a knightly tournament, and surrounded by his four wives. All of this is embellished with rich Gothic decor.

The four gold coins are stored in a luxurious wooden case supplemented with a special certificate of authenticity that describes the hobbies of Charles IV. The issue consists of only 126 complete sets.