The best-known story of how the exotic lion became the symbol of the Czech country is the tale of Bruncvík – a mythical prince who travelled to Africa where he helped the king of beasts in his battle with the dragon. However, the old chroniclers offer more plausible explanation. According to them, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa rewarded Prince Vladislaus II with a royal crown and a new heraldic animal, which replaced the current eagle in 1158. The lion represented the virtues of chivalry, strength and courage that Vladislaus had shown during the conquest of the city of Milan in the Emperor’s service. And how did the heraldic beast get its second tail? Again, heroism played a role. King Ottokar I of Bohemia helped Emperor Otto IV in his fight against the Saxon in 1204, and in return the Bohemian lion was given a second tail, which distinguished it from the beasts of other nations and gave it a unique prestige. Medieval writers, however, liked to colour their narratives, therefore, they are not a reliable source of information. However, one thing is certain – the first truly documented Bohemian lion was a symbol of the Přemyslid dynasty and appears on the equestrian seal of Vladislaus Henry from 1203. The lion was elevated to the emblem of the whole country by Ottokar II of Bohemia, the Iron and Gold King.

All the variants of the bullion coin received a new relief in 2024, however, the main idea remained the same. The reverse side is dominated by the Czech lion in an unusually realistic rendition with the St. Wenceslas crown on its head. An additional motif is the eagle, which is a synthesis of the St Wenceslas, Moravian and Silesian birds of prey. The inscription ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA (CZECH REPUBLIC) is placed in a wedge that evokes the Czech flag. The author of the relief is traditionally the medal maker Asamat Baltaev, DiS. As the coins of the Czech Mint are issued with the licence of a foreign issuer, which is the island of Niue, their obverse side bears its necessary attributes – the portrait of the King Charles III., the nominal value of 10 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2024.