“Stanisław Koniecpolski”: new NBP collector coins
Narodowy Bank Polski launches a series of gold and silver coins titled “Hetmans of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth”.
Narodowy Bank Polski has announced that gold and silver collector coins “Stanisław Koniecpolski” of the new series “Hetmans of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth” will be available for sale as of tomorrow, 26 March 2025.
The 500 złoty coin is made of 999.9 fine gold, has a diameter of 32.00 mm and weighs 31.10 g. The mintage is up to 1,000 pieces. The 10 złoty coin is minted of 999 fine silver, has a diameter of 32.00 mm and weighs 31.10 g. It has a mintage of up to 8,000 pieces. Both coins have a proof finish and are made using the high relief technique. The coins will be available to buy in all the NBP Regional Branches and in the NBP online shop Kolekcjoner at the following prices: the gold coin – PLN 14,500, the silver coin – PLN 360.
The reverses of the gold and silver coins feature an image of hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski. Apart from the regular elements such as the inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of issue, face value and the image of the eagle established as the state emblem of the Republic of Poland, their obverses also bear a mace and the Pobóg coat of arms from Stanisław Koniecpolski’s seal.
Stanisław Koniecpolski is regarded as one of the most outstanding hetmans in the history of Poland. His career was closely interlocked with Grand Hetman of the Crown Stanisław Żółkiewski. It was thanks to his support that Koniecpolski, who was just 26 years old, was able to take over the office of field hetman in 1618, causing outrage among the nobility. Two years later, Koniecpolski took part in the disastrous venture of Cecora. He was captured and held in captivity by the Turks. After his return, Koniecpolski took the command of troops countering Tatar incursions. In 1624, he triumphed over the Tatars in the battle of Martynów. He was then ordered to hold back the advancing Swedish forces in Royal Prussia. Despite great difficulty and being outnumbered by the adversary, he fulfilled the task excellently. On 27 June 1629 at Trzciana, he defeated one of the greatest military commanders of the 17th century, King of Sweden Gustav II Adolph.
In 1632, Koniecpolski was awarded the great crown mace. A year later, he defeated the Tatars at Sasowy Róg and the Turks at Kamieniec Podolski. Victory in the latter battle was possible thanks to the hetman’s utilisation of modern warfare methods, namely expanding the role of infantry and artillery and using field fortifications. Twelve years later, on 30 January 1644, Koniecpolski won a glorious victory over the Tatars under Tuhay Bey’s command in the battle of Ochmatów.
Stanisław Koniecpolski, a man of high esteem, died suddenly on 11 March 1646. He is remembered as a courageous and sensible leader, who skilfully combined elements of Old Polish art of war and cavalry raids with the firepower of artillery and infantry. In warfare he used a system of tabors (wagon forts); he also developed arsenals and fortresses. His death was all the more tragic that the period immediately afterwards brought events and disasters that shook the very foundations of the Commonwealth. This is why many interpreted the surname of the great commander-in-chief as the demise of Poland [Koniecpolski means “the end of Poland”], which was supposed to be an omen of the crisis of the state in the mid-17th century.
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 for 8 April 2025. On that day, Narodowy Bank Polski will be putting into circulation a silver collector coin with a face value of 50 złoty “85th Anniversary of the Katyn Massacre”.
Contact:
Contact for collectors: e-mail kolekcjoner@nbp.pl, tel. +48 22 185 17 05
Contact for the press: 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/