Poland: New silver remembrance coin pays tribute to WWII-era Polish defence against USSR aggression

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The National Bank of Poland has released new silver oxidised Brilliant Uncirculated coins with a design replicating an important medal honouring the defence shown by Polish armed forces in the face of invasion in 1939. As the 17th September approaches, the Polish nation remembers the events leading up to and including the invasion of Polish territory by the Third Reich and the Soviet Red Army.

The Mint of Poland produces the Proof coins at their facilities in Warsaw on behalf of the National Bank. The design of this poignant coin is formatted by engraver Robert Kotowicz and based on a war medal known as the “Year 1939” medal, which is the work of renowned sculptor Józef Gosławski (1908–1963). The design was inspired by a deep urge to comment on the tragic historical moment on the part of the artist who witnessed those events. The sculptor was not able to exhibit his work during his lifetime owing to communist censorship. He thus put together both sides of the medal, encased them in plaster and stored them in this form. It was not until 2009 that his family decided to make the work public. The scene on the obverse is a symbolic representation of the events of the 17th September 1939, depicting a Polish soldier fighting the German aggressor who is stabbed in the back by a Soviet Army soldier. Above the scene of battle is the word ROK (year), and below is the year 1939. The commemorative inscription on the reverse is centred and surrounded by elements of daggers and oak leaves. The text reads WE WRZEŚNIU 1939 NAPADNIĘCI PRZEZ ARMIE NIEMIECKĄ I BOLSZEWICKĄ – MY POLACY – OFIARĄ KRWI BRONILIŚMY WOLNOŚCI LUDÓW, HONORU I RELIGII. (“In September 1939, attacked by the German and the Bolshevik armies, we, the Poles, paid in blood to defend the freedom of peoples, honour, and religion.”) Above the primary design and along the upper edge is the text RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA. To the lower left is the denomination 20 ZŁ, and to the lower right is the year of issue, 2023. The national crest is placed just under the commemorative inscription. An incused lettering edge inscription reads SOWIECKA AGRESJA NA POLSKĘ – 17 IX 1939 r. (“Soviet Aggression against Poland – 17 September 1939.”)

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Mintage Limit
20 zlotych	.925 Silver	28.4 g	38.6 mm	Oxidised Brilliant Unc.	12,000

Available from the 5th September, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a heavy gauge custom card case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please click here.

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