Got a piece of history in the mail from my coin dealer. 1993 Czechoslovakia 100 Korun commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Brevnov Monastery.
The dates on the coin tell the story. 993 to 1993. A thousand years.
Brevnov Monastery is the oldest male monastery in Bohemia. It was founded on January 14, 993 by Saint Adalbert, the second Bishop of Prague, along with Duke Boleslaus II (Wikipedia, n.d.). The first Benedictine monks came from Germany and set up shop in what is now part of Prague.
The monastery has been through hell over the centuries. Destroyed during the Hussite Wars in the 15th century. Rebuilt in Baroque style in the 1700s. Confiscated by the Communists in 1950. The monks were either deported or fled. It wasn't until 1990 that the Benedictine order got it back.
In 1993, the same year this coin was minted, Pope John Paul II elevated the monastery to the rank of archabbey. I guess this was a fitting way to celebrate a thousand years.
It weighs 13 grams. It is 31 mm in diameter. And is 70% silver content. Designed by Jaroslav Bejvl. The obverse shows the Czechoslovakia coat of arms with "Ceska A Slovenska Federativní Republika" and the denomination. The reverse features the monastery with the dates 993 and 1993 and the Latin "Archisterium Brevnoviense." That translates to Brevnov Archabbey.
Here's the interesting part. This coin was minted right at the end of Czechoslovakia. On January 1, 1993, the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. So this is one of the last commemorative coins issued under the old federation. A thousand year old monastery celebrated by a country that was about to cease to exist.
The monastery also has the oldest tradition of beer brewing in the Czech Republic. They've been making beer there since the founding. That alone makes it worth remembering.
Coins like this are why I collect. A piece of silver that tells a thousand years of history.
Reference:
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Břevnov Monastery. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C5%99evnov_Monastery
If you have any further information about this coin you would like to add, like historical information I left out or want to correct any I may have gotten wrong, please drop it in the comments.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Notes:
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