This is a memento of the 600th anniversary of Charles University in Prague, one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1348 by Pope Clement VI. The coin shows Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV kneeling and presenting the university charter to St. Wenceslas, 10th century martyr and the patron saint of Bohemia. The university has undergone several schisms and name-changes over the centuries before  emerging in its present form after the fall of communism in 1989. There are currently about 50,000 students in three cities. 

One institutional split occurred in 1409 when Jan Hus led a minority coup to seize control—with the support of King Wenceslas (not the saint)—and became rector. Hus and his followers called for numerous reforms in the Church. In 1414 he was hailed before Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund to defend his views. With a safe-conduct pass, Hus appeared but was nonetheless convicted as a heretic and burned at the stake. A large statue in his honor and memory dominates a plaza in Prague.