5 zloty 2014 Royal Castle in Warsaw

Today, I came across a coin that probably everyone in Poland has had in their wallet at least once, but this version is a little different from the usual five-pound coin – it is a commemorative coin from the ‘Discover Poland’ series, depicting the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Minted in 2014, it combines everyday currency with a touch of history and culture, which turned out quite well for the National Bank of Poland. On the one hand, it is an ordinary coin that can be used to pay in a shop, and on the other, it is a small souvenir reminding us of one of the most important places in our history. The design itself is impressive – a golden core in the centre, with the facade of the castle and its characteristic Sigismund Tower, surrounded by the inscription ‘Royal Castle in Warsaw’. On the reverse side, there is a classic eagle with the date 2014 and the denomination 5 złoty. It is worth knowing that the entire ‘Discover Poland’ series began with this coin and was conceived as a way to popularise Polish monuments, but also to show that contemporary coins can have both educational and collectible value.

For me, it is an interesting example of how something as ordinary as a circulation coin can carry a piece of patriotism in a subtle way, without exaggeration. An interesting fact is that coins from this series are minted in quantities ranging from several to over a dozen million pieces, so theoretically they are common, but nevertheless it is not so easy to find them in perfect condition, as most of them were in normal circulation. Interestingly, although it depicts Warsaw, there were also versions with other cities – Krakow, Poznań, Lublin and Toruń – and each of them has its own unique character. The Royal Castle was the perfect choice to start this series, as it is a symbolic place: it survived the destruction of war, was rebuilt with enormous effort and is now one of the most visited monuments in Poland. Holding this coin in your hand, you begin to wonder how many such small items pass through our fingers every day, and yet each of them carries a piece of history, you just need to stop for a moment to notice it.