Bohemian penny of Bretislav I

A Bohemian penny of Bretislav I, Duke of the Přemyslid dynasty (dated 1034–1055). On the front of the coin is a picture of the ruler wearing a cloak tied to his right shoulder. He is holding a cross-staff in his right hand. On the back is a bird that has spread its wings. The perimeter text SCS VVENCESLAVS refers to Saint Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, who was murdered and later rose from martyrdom to sainthood.

Bohemian coins have rarely been found in Finland. The coin presented here was found in Sääksmäki, Valkeakoski, in 1929 or 1930 in a Viking Age hoard that contained an estimated 600 coins. The unknown finder sold the contents of the hoard to a goldsmith in Hämeenlinna, who in turn distributed the coins to various parties. There are only 42 coins known from the hoard, which had been hidden sometime after 1006.