BOHEMIA. Ota I Sličný. Duke of Olomouc, 1061-1087. AR Denár (14mm, 0.52 g). Olomouc (Olmütz) mint. Cross pommée; facing head in each quarter / Manus Dei. Fraynas BM.Olom.2.1. Find patina. VF.
From the West Collection. Ex Künker 138 (11 March 2008), lot 5941.
In 1019, Moravia was captured by Bretislav I of Bohemia, who was then serving as a prince under his father, Oldrich. Bretislav ruled Moravia until 1035, whereupon he succeeded his father as duke of Bohemia. At that time, Bretislav organized his dynasty. His eldest son, and heir, would rule the traditional territories of Bohemia, while his other sons ruled Moravia, which was divided between them as quasi-independant principalities. Ota was given the strategically important town of Brno and its surroundings.