“Stanisław Konarski”
Narodowy Bank Polski is putting into circulation silver coins of the series “Treasures of the Medal-Making Art”.
Narodowy Bank Polski has announced that silver collector coins “Stanisław Konarski” of the series “Treasures of the Medal-Making Art”, which reproduces selected works of the medal-making art, will be available for sale from 12 January 2026.
Another coin of the series depicts the medal commemorating Stanisław Konarski, created by Jan Filip Holzhaeusser, the court medallist to King Stanisław August.
The coin with a face value of 50 złoty is made of 999 purity silver, has a diameter of 45.00 millimetres and weighs 62.20 grams. It has been minted in up to 4,000 pieces.
The coins are sold at all the NBP regional branches and in the NBP online shop Kolekcjoner at the price of PLN 1,250.
The reverse side of the coin, identical to the obverse side of the medal, features the bust of Stanisław Konarski (wearing a zucchetto and a monastic habit) and the Latin inscription reading (in translation): “Stanisław Konarski, the provincial superior of the ancient Piarist schools in Poland and Lithuania”.
The obverse side of the coin reproduces the reverse side of the medal, featuring two books, decorated with an oak wreath, which refer to Konarski’s most widely known works: “On the Improvement of Rhetoric Defects” (first Latin edition – 1741) and “On the Means of Effective Counsels” (published in four volumes between 1760 and 1763). In addition to the Sapere auso motto, there is also the abbreviated Latin inscription: “King Stanisław August, 1765”.
It is worth mentioning that the date 1765 is incorrect, as the mint in Warsaw was not in full operation at that time. Antoni Schroeder, the mint’s administrator, reported that the medal was only minted in 1771, in gold, with a weight of 18 ducats (approx. 60 g) for Stanisław Konarski, and in silver and bronze. The stamps were designed by Jan Filip Holzhaeusser, as confirmed by the artist’s signature on the medal.
Stanisław Konarski (born Hieronim Franciszek Konarski; in the Piarist order he took the monastic name Stanisław of St. Lawrence) was an outstanding writer, educator and social activist. In 1740, he established the later famous Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw and carried out a reform of Piarist schools. He was a close associate of King Stanisław August from the moment he ascended the throne in 1764. Konarski was one of the first to be awarded the royal gold medal with the inscription Sapere auso (“Dare to know”), and in gratitude for the medal, he dedicated his poem to the king.
Stanisław Konarski belonged to the reform camp. In numerous political writings, polemics, translations, as well as poetic works and dramas, he proclaimed the need for modern education, involvement in social and political affairs (he particularly condemned the liberum veto), and moral renewal in the Christian spirit.
More information can be found in the brochure.
NBP collector coins and banknotes are sold in commercial packaging with an attached certificate.
The next issue is scheduled on 9 February 2026. On that date Narodowy Bank Polski will be putting into circulation a gold collector coin “Banknotes in Circulation in Poland” – “The 100 Złoty Note”, with a face value of 100 złoty.
Contact:
Contact for collectors: e-mail kolekcjoner@nbp.pl, tel. +48 22 185 17 05
Contact for the media: e-mail press@nbp.pl, tel. +48 22 185 2012
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About NBP
Narodowy Bank Polski holds the exclusive right to issue banknotes and coins in Poland. All currency issued by NBP, including collector banknotes and coins, is legal tender in Poland. Issuing collector items is an occasion to commemorate historic figures and anniversaries as well as to develop the interest of the public in Polish culture, science and tradition.
High-resolution images of the coins: https://nbp.pl/en/coins-and-banknotes/collector-coins/catalogue/