Poland: New Silver Proof Coins In History Of Polish Coinage Series Continues With Tribute To Copper Grosz

Begun in 2013, the innovative series commenced with coins highlighting the first silver Denarius of Boleslaw I the Brave who reigned from 992 to 1025. For 2024, the new silver proof and colour coins feature the copper grosz of King Stanisław August first minted in 1765. As a result of the monetary chaos that remained after the reign of the Saxon King August III (r. 1733 – 1763) Poland’s troubling economic activity was brought under control by his successor King Stanisław August at the very beginning of his reign begun in 1764 and lasting until 1795. The King not only pursued an effective monetary policy, but also personally took a great interest in the quality and appearance of the country’s coinage. Furthermore, when it was determined that the Polish Mint was initially operating at a deficit, Stanisław August covered the debit from his own funds. A new monetary system was introduced in 1766 by a universal decree of the Crown Treasury Commission. Ducats, Thalers and their fractions were minted, as well as the most common copper coins of trojaks, grosz, the half-grosz and the schilling. Some of the examples also bore an inscription in Polish, which provided information about the name of the coin and the origin of the domestic ore, extracted in the mines near Kielce at that time. Coins were initially struck in Krakow and later only at the newly established mint in Warsaw, and it is this mint which the copper coins with a face value of one grosz weighing 3.8 grams and with a diameter of 21 millimetres were struck. The obverse side bore the royal monogram composed of the letters SAR referencing the King’s name and title Stanislaus Augustus Rex along with a crown above the monogram. On either side of the insignia was the year of issue, 17 and 65 through to 1795. On the reverse, a crowned shield depicting the state emblems of Poland and Lithuania along with a bull calf in the centre of the crest representing the Poniatowski Royal House. Under the cerst shown on later examples, the letters E and B. representing the Warsaw mint master Efraim Brenna and along the rim, was the inscription GROSZ Z MIEDZI KRAIOWEY (The Domestic Copper Grosz).

The silver proof and colour coins are produced by the Mint of Poland at their facilities in Warsaw on behalf of the National Bank and designed by Dominika Karpińska-Kopiec. The obverse side features the original design of the copper grosz coin of Stanisław August featuring his monogram and the year 1786. In the background situated on the left, is an etched image of the king’s royal crest representing the Polish Lithuanian commonwealth. Above and along the right rim is the inscription GROSZ Z MIEDZI KRAJOWEJ STANISŁAWA AUGUSTA (The Domestic Copper Grosz of King Stanisław August) The reverse side features the designs of two coins side by side. The coin on the left depicts the image of the crowned Eagle, the state emblem of the Republic of Poland and the inscription RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA (Republic of Poland), along with the year of issue 2024 and the face value of 20 ZŁ. The coin on the right reproduces the reverse side of the copper grosz coin of Stanisław August featuring his royal crest. A medal engraved by Jan Filip Holzhäusser depicting Juno Moneta, struck in 1766/1767 to commemorate the monetary reform and the opening of the new mint in Warsaw is shown the background. Both images of the copper grosz are highlighted with copper colouring.

Available from the 7^th August, each silver proof quality coin is encapsulated and presented in a heavy-gauge lined card case, accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information on these and other coins issued from the National Bank of Poland, please visit their retail webpage.