The new series of the Czech Mint called World Gangs is a dark chronicle of organised crime. The first silver medal represents the Italian-American mafia known as Cosa Nostra.

The history of Sicily has been full of hardship. Over the centuries, the island has been ruled by various powers, giving rise to various secret societies that fought against foreign domination and defended the interests of the indigenous population. When Italy united in the 19th century, so did Sicily's militant groups, which until then had been tenacious but small and unorganised. Thus was born Cosa Nostra - translated as Our Cause - an organisation that created an alternative establishment on the island to replace the poorly functioning state. Its godfathers protected their fellow citizens and also punished them. Not by law, but by customary law. They didn't hesitate to pass death sentences on their opponents. Cosa Nostra came into direct conflict with the judiciary and gradually turned into a criminal organisation. Its domain became mainly extortion. At the beginning of the 20th century, Sicilian criminals emigrated to the USA, where they found base for their activities. They thrived especially during the Prohibition era, when they burned and smuggled illegal alcohol on a large scale, but it quickly became apparent that nothing was sacred to them - the arms and drug trade, gambling, prostitution, robbery or influencing trade unions, politicians, courts and government contracts. For decades, both Italy and America were in the clutches of crime families who did not hesitate to shed the blood of policemen, innocent people and their own brothers in the name of money and power. What was behind the success of the Italian-American Mafia? A rigid hierarchy and a code of principles, silence and obedience, the violation of which carried with it the only punishment. Death...

Medal maker Adam Liška, DiS., dedicated the reverse side of the medal to a portrait of a mafia member who seems to have been in a gangster movie. He's not missing his hat or sunglasses. His fresh expression suggests that he is not joking, which is only proved by his clenched fist armed with a boxer. "The ornaments refer to the mafia's position in society. Its members moved in circles where there was no shortage of money, so they often had their weapons, furniture or even glasses decorated. The ornament most closely resembles the engraving on the pistols that were an integral part of every gangster's life. For example, the ornate Colt owned by Al Capone was auctioned off for a huge amount of money, " explains the medal's author. The hatband and tie are coloured for dramatic effect . "The red colour signifies both blood and luxury, " adds Adam Liška. The reverse side of the medal, which is common to the entire series, then presents firearms and cold weapons, a skull and a globe, conveying that organised crime is rampant around the world.

The Japanese Yakuza is another addition to the collectible crime series.