Silver coin Mythological figures - Dryad stand

The last silver coin from the Czech Mint's twelve-part series entitled Mythological Figures depicts a shy dryad.

Dryads are forest creatures whose lives are inextricably linked to trees. They take the form of young and beautiful girls, but if a tree begins to wither or even die, the same fate awaits the dryad who is connected to it. It is therefore no surprise that these shy nymphs defend their forests from anyone who does not respect nature. However, there are also those who willingly help travelers lost among the trees – in times of need, they lead them to shelter and whisper to them the way out of the forest... Legends about dryads originated in ancient times, when people still listened to nature and believed that all rocks, rivers, and trees had souls. The origin of dryads can be found in Greek mythology, but stories about various forest creatures also appear in Celtic and Slavic legends. In ancient times, priests, druids, and shamans cared for trees and established sacred groves where it was forbidden to cut down trees or hunt. They knew very well that trees are essential for survival – after all, they provide fruit and wood, retain water, and provide shade and shelter for animals. In modern art, dryads are therefore often depicted as the embodiment of harmony between man and nature. They remind us that a forest is not just a cluster of trees, but a living organism whose breath keeps us all alive...

The reverse side of the coin, designed by medallist Roman Shamilyan, depicts a dryad in the form of a girl whose body is intertwined with branches and flowers. As the license to issue commemorative coins of the Czech Mint is provided by the Pacific island of Niue, the obverse side bears its coat of arms, the nominal value of 2 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2026. These essential attributes are surrounded by elemental nature – rocks, clouds, trees and waves. The details of the relief are highlighted by patina.

You can store the complete twelve-piece collection of coins featuring characters from the realm of myths, legends, and fantasy in a collector's album, which you can also find in our offer.