New Gold and Silver Collector Coins Featuring Motifs of the Vučedol Culture

15.05.2026.

Croatian Mint, in collaboration with Croatian National Bank, presents the new collector issue “Vučedol Culture”, continuing the “Croatian Heritage” series.

The story of the Vučedol Culture began more than 5,000 years ago in present-day eastern Slavonia and Syrmia, where some of the most fascinating traces of European prehistory were created. It was here that a Late Eneolithic culture developed, leaving a remarkable mark far beyond the borders of present-day Croatia through its knowledge, innovation, and technological progress.

From the region between the Danube, Drava, and Sava rivers, the Vučedol people spread their influence across the territory of what are now thirteen European countries. Through their achievements in metallurgy and standardised production, they played an important role in Europe’s transition into the Bronze Age. Their legacy continues to fascinate today, as it reveals how closely science, art, and everyday life were connected.

A special place in this story belongs to pottery – dark, glossy, decorated with white inlays and symbols that carried meanings far beyond decoration. The engraved bands and markings found on certain vessels are often interpreted as representations of constellations, which is why it is believed that the Vučedol people created one of the oldest Indo-European calendars. Among the most notable discoveries is also the model of the Vučedol boot – small in size, yet an exceptionally valuable testament to highly developed craftsmanship and a refined sense of form, function, and aesthetics.

Author of the design, Matej Pašalić, translated these motifs into this new collector issue. The obverse features the motif of the Vučedol boot, while the reverse depicts the unfolded surface of a vessel decorated with four bands symbolising constellations in the night sky during different seasons of the Vučedol period. The vessel dates to the third millennium BC (around 2880–2630 BC) and is considered by many to be the oldest Indo-European calendar. It is colloquially known as “Orion”, after one of the symbols frequently found on Vučedol pottery.

The coins are issued in limited mintages: the one-ounce gold coin in only 50 pieces, the 1/4-ounce gold coin in 200 pieces, the 1/16-ounce gold coin in 1,000 pieces, the one-ounce silver coin in 1,500 pieces, and the two-ounce silver coin in 200 pieces.
All coins are minted in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, except for the one-ounce gold coin, which is produced in the highest Proof quality.

The Croatian Mint would like to express its gratitude to City Museum Vinkovci, whose permanent archaeological exhibition includes the “Orion” vessel, City Museum Vukovar, owner of the Vučedol Boot, Vučedol Culture Museum, and Archaeological Museum in Zagreb for their support and for granting the rights to use motifs and visuals of the Vučedol Culture on the new collector coins.

The “Vučedol Culture” issue is available for purchase through the Croatian Mint webshop.

1 ounce gold coin “Vučedol Culture”