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 Replies: 21 / Views: 4,452 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
For the holiday, I thought I'd scare up a picture to post of a silver denar of Good King Wenceslas, the beloved patron saint of the Czechs, and bestower of Christmas kindness in the carol we all know. As it turns out, during his tenure as Duke of Bohemia in the tenth century, he minted no coins. The first coins of the Duchy were actually produced by Wenceslas' successor, his younger brother, Boleslav. Known as Boleslav the Cruel, he became Duke by having his brother murdered at the Feast of Sts Cosmas and Damian. So I guess, if it weren't for Boleslav, Wenceslas might never have become canonized as a saint, and we would never have sung about what he did on that night of the Feast of Stephen (Dec. 26, by the way, if you ever wondered). Denar of Boleslav the Cruel, murderer of Good King Wenceslas:  Edited by philadelphian
12/23/2013 6:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9150 Posts |
Well you learn something every day, thank you.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9862 Posts |
Thanks for sharing. Now I know more about the subject of my favorite Christmas carol.
"Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
695 Posts |
.....every coin has a story to tell. Thank your for sharing!
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Nice coin and a history lesson. Priceless.  |
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Valued Member
United States
217 Posts |
Awesome history lesson, thanks for doing that research!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1699 Posts |
Yes, thank you! Definitely a quality post.
Is that an ms coin and how rare are these? I'm not much of a darksider, nor do I own many coins dated prior to the 18th century, but I'm interested in learning more!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Back in 1974, when I walked across the Charles' Bridge in Prague [Karluv Most,]
it was all that I could do to keep the carol out of my head!
A coin and its history is always a joy to read.
Thanks, philadelphian!
Edited by matthewvincent
12/26/2013 5:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
As others have said, a nice bit of history.
Had the pleasure of visiting Prague once. One of the most delightful cities in Europe. Wenceslas Square is absolutely enchanting with its Art Deco architecture and the sausage and Starovar beer stall at the bottom end is one of the greatest outdoor meals I've ever had.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3253 Posts |
I had the privilege of visiting Wenceslas Square at its most beautiful time. The entire surface of the square was bedecked with rivulets of multicolored wax from the candles kept burning there day and night by the protestors who occupied it during the Velvet Revolution. The candles had only just gone out, after the Communist dictatorship abdicated in November of 1989.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
"And the snow lay 'round about deep and crisp and even."
Try singing THAT in an Australian summer, when the temperature is well over 100 deg.F!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Really interesting and educational. Thanks.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
Bump! A worthy bump. I actually remembered this post. It helped me answer a trivia question at a Christmas party.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
I'm sharing this one with my family. Thanks. Hope it gets bumped every year.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Huh... Learn something new every day! Thanks for that! Merry Christmas all!
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Replies: 21 / Views: 4,452 |
Posted 12/23/2013 7:15 pm
