Silver coin of the Czech National Bank with a nominal value of 200 CZK, boasting top-quality proof finish, is being issued to mark the 900th anniversary of the death of chronicler Kosmas.

The learned priest Cosmas, who lived at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries, became famous as the first Czech historian – the first known Czech chronicler. He called his famous work, which laid the foundations of Czech historiography, Chronica Boemorum, or Chronicle of the Bohemians or Czech Chronicle. He wrote this fascinating collection of folk literature, historical documents and his own experiences in Latin, which was the language of the educated, but he was otherwise a staunch Czech who developed national consciousness. He lovingly described the region as ‘surrounded by mountains, which stretch in a remarkable way around the entire country, so that at first glance it seems as if a single continuous mountain range surrounds and protects the whole country’. He recognised the mythical forefather Čech and Princess Libuše. He praised the patron saints of the country – St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert. He emphasised the ruling dynasty and looked up to Břetislav I, during whose reign he was born. At the same time, he did not spare unflattering remarks about neighbouring nations – the hostile Germans and Poles.

 The popularity of the chronicle is evidenced, among other things, by fifteen preserved medieval manuscripts, although the original manuscript has unfortunately not survived. After Cosmas died in 1125, he became an inspiration for many successors. For example, Dalimil and Václav Hájek z Libočan followed his steps. However, no chronicler was able to match him...

The design by academic sculptor Michal Vitanovský won the Czech National Bank's art competition. The expert committee particularly appreciated the ‘stylisation of Spytihněv's basilica, which stood on the site of today's St. Vitus Cathedral’. On the obverse side, there is the Latin inscription COSMAS DECANUS – meaning Dean Cosmas – supplemented with the decorative initial C. The obverse side is dominated by a depiction of a writing canon incorporated into the silhouette of a face and surrounded by fragments of period architecture.

The exclusive manufacturer of Czech coins, both commemorative and circulation coins, is the Czech Mint in Jablonec nad Nisou.