Mint of Poland

200 zloty

15,50 g

27,00 mm

Gold 900°

3000 pcs.

Proof

Urszula Walerzak

Mint of Poland

Obverse: in the central part of the coin – images of an eagle from the coat of arms of the Republic of Poland and the attributes of Józef Poniatowski: saber and shako. Below – the face value: «200 ZŁ». Along the rim – a stylized decorative motif. Above – an inscription: «RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA» (the Republic of Poland). In the lower part of the coin – the year of issue: «2013». Reverse: depicts a figure of prince Józef Poniatowski. On the left – the years of birth and death of the prince (1763 – 1813). Along the rim – stylized decorative motifs. Above – a semicircular inscription: «KSIĄŻĘ JÓZEF PONIATOWSKI» (PRINCE JÓZEF PONIATOWSKI).

Prince Józef Poniatowski was born on 7 May 1763 in Vienna. Bound for a military career, he eventually received the rank of General and became the Marshal of France; he was later announced as the Minister of War and Head of the Army of Warsaw County. On 19 October 1813, while covering the retreat of Napoleon's forces during the Battle of Leipzig, Prince Józef was killed. Poniatowski's cult developed after his death - it was a Polish version of the Napoleon legend. He was an inspiration for Polish freedom fighters throughout a number of armed conflicts.