Wenceslaus II Bohemia, Silver Prager Groschen, 1278-1305

Description

Denomination: Silver prager groschen

Period: Wenceslaus family as rulers of Bohemia and Poland

Date: 1278-1305

Origin: Kutna Hora mine and mint. Prague

Condition: VF+

Obverse: Crown inside double circle of legend. +WENCEZLAVS SECVNDVS; +DIE GRATIA REX BOEMIE

Reverse: Crowned rampant lion. left. +*GROSSI:PRAGENSES

Size and Weight: 28mm. 3.66g

References: Saurma 390/166. Kopicki 10013

Features and Provenance: Ex Roma Numismatics. formally the Dr. Murray Gell-Man collection.

The above coin is an example of coins issued by the Wenceslaus family famous for their wintery benevolence captured in the ever popular Christmas carol ‘Good King Wenceslaus!’ There are few people that will not have heard or sung this song at some time in their life. but it has an interesting history. Originally an Easter carol. the tune was ‘borrowed’ from a 13th century song ‘Tempus Adest Floridum.’ It was then blended with lyrics written in 1853 about the legend of the king’s good deeds towards the poor. who’s fame blossomed after death as a martyr. a saint and then a cult.

The carol was disliked immensely by the church but it was hoped that with the abundance of carols available at the time would result in it ‘passing into disuse’ of course it never did. and the rest is history. as they say. Our coin was issued during the reign of Wenceslaus II. grandson of ‘the’ famous Saint Wenceslaus I. Duke of Bohemia

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible