NEW SLOVAK  5000 Sk GOLD COIN

Commemorating the 1100th anniversary of the Death of Svatopluk, ruler of Great Moravia

In the first half of the 9th century, a new kingdom emerged in the center of Europe - Great Moravia. The birth of the country resulted from the persistent state-building efforts of the Slavic people, forefathers of the modern Slovak nation, who lived in the region from the 5th century.

In 800 AD, the two main principalities in the area were: the Nitra region in the south-west of present day Slovakia ruled by Prince Pribina; and Moravia, Prince Mojmir's domain in the southern part of modern Moravia. In 833, Mojmir brought the two principalities together in the Great Moravian Empire. It's more than 70 years' history was marked by a constant effort to gain independence of the expanding East Franks empire. Another event of great importance was the advance of Christianity into the Slavic lands, the development of education and writing in the Slavic language under the strong influence of St. Cyril-Constantine and St. Methodius, Byzantine scholars and Slavic-speaking missionaries who came to Great Moravia at the invitation of Prince Rastislav in 863 AD.

The most important Great Moravian ruler was Svatopluk. He reigned from 870 AD (before that time he was in charge of the Nitra region. In 871, Svatopluk was captured and imprisoned by the Franks and the country was taken over by Franks lords. In the same year, Svatopluk was able to escape and defend his country's independence. In 847, he signed a peace-treaty with the East Franks king Amulf.

Svatopluk's most significant deed was the formation of an archdiocese, which Pope John VIII sanctioned by papal bull in 880 AD. In this way, the Pope took Svätopluk and his people under his protection.

Under the reign of Svatopluk, the Great Moravian Empire reached its zenith and included the lands of present day Slovakia, Bohemia, Lusatia, the southern part of modem Poland (Vistula region), and a considerable part of modem Hungary and Austria. After his death in 894, Great Moravia gradually lost its lands, political strength, and fell apart completely under foreign control through dissension among Svatopluk's successors.

The fact that Svatopluk was one of the greatest European rulers of those times (he is referred to as king in several sources) and that his Empire created lasting political and historical structures as well as spiritual values, remained engraved on the minds of our ancestors. The idea of Great Moravia became a source of inspiration for the Slovak nation-a source from which it was to draw strength throughout its later history, particularly in the times of the National Revival when the nation's state building ambitions were reawakened.

On the obverse of the commemorative 5,000 crown coin is the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic with the abbreviation of the Slovak crown Sk and the nominal value of the coin 5,000 below. Underneath, is the year of minting 1994. The name of the state Slovenska Republika is written along the lower edge of the coin.

The reverse of the coin shows an imaginary portrait of Svatopluk in profile and a characteristic view of the watchtower symbolizing present day Devin Castle. An important part of the design is the depiction of a crown reminding us of the dominating tendencies of those times-organization and unification. The name of Svatopluk, the year of his death 894, and the year of commemoration 1994 are written around the edge of the coin.

Material: Au 9 0/1,000; Diameter:24 mm; Weight: 7 g; Edge: fine milled; Issue: 5,000 in proof condition; Designer: Vojtech Pohanka

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Published in the Slovak Heritage Live newsletter Volume 3, No. 4, Winter 1995
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 1995 
3804 Yale Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The above article and photographs may not be copied, reproduced, republished, or redistributed by any means including electronic, without the express written permission of Vladimir Linder. All rights reserved.