Poland. Latest Silver Proof Coins Released in Treasures of the Medal-Making Art Series

The third coin in this exceptional series introduced last year features designs and historic personalities associated with the art of legacy medal production. The latest coin features the story of Stanisław Konarski - born Hieronim Franciszek Konarski (1700 – 1773) he was an adherent to the followers of the Piarists, the oldest religious order dedicated to education and took the monastic name Stanisław of St. Lawrence. Konarski is remembered as 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 and was one of the first to be awarded the royal gold medal for outstanding service to the crown. The medal included the inscription SAPERE AUSO (Dare to know), and in in a gesture of gratitude for the medal, Konarski dedicated his next poem to the king.

Stanisław Konarski belonged to the reformists in terms of policy in numerous political writings, polemics, translations, as well as poetic works and dramas. Konarski was a great proponent of the need for modern education, involvement in social and political affairs and moral renewal in the Christian spirit. Konarski particularly condemned the liberum veto, the practise whereby each member of the Sejm or, parliament had the legal right to defeat by his vote alone any measure under consideration believing it a great obstacle of democratic principles. The original medal was designed and engraved by Jan Filip Holzaeusser under commission from King

Although the Roman numeral represents the year 1765, the Warsaw Mint was not in full operation. The medal was in fact minted in 1771 as per the notes of Antoni Schroeder, the mint’s administrator. The original medal was produced in gold with a weight of 18 ducats - approximately 60 g for Stanisław Konarski himself. Additional pieces were also minted in silver and bronze.

The silver proof coins are produced using a high relief strike by the Mennica Polska – Mint of Poland at their facilities in Warsaw and on behalf of the National Bank. Designed by Robert Kotowicz and based on the medal by Jan Filip HolzhaeusserDobrochna, the obverse side features a profile image of Stanisław of St. Lawrence facing to the left. He is shown wearing a zucchetto and a monastic habit. Surrounding the primary design is Latin text placed along the rim which reads STAN. KONARSKI SCHOL. PIAR. IN POL. ET LITU. ANTIQ. PRAEP. PROV. and translates to Stanisław Konarski, the provincial superior of the ancient Piarist schools in Poland and Lithuania. Below Konarski’s image is the name of the engraver and the king’s court medallist I P HOLZHAEUSSER F of the original medal. The reverse side of the original medal and here on the coin features two books centred and decorated with a laurel wreath of oak leaves. They are Konarski’s most widely known works On the Improvement of Rhetoric Defects (first Latin edition published in 1741) and On the Means of Effective Counsels (published in four volumes between 1760 and 1763). Directly above the books is the motto SAPERE AUSO translated as To him who dared to use reason. Below the two books is the additional text STAN. AUG. REX. MDCCLXV. Above the primary design along the rim is the text RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA · 50 ZŁ. with the year of issue, 2026 shown below.

Available from the 12th January, each silver high-relief 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 e-webshop.