5 zł 1925 „Constitution” – a would-be circulating coin
The coin is considered one of the most beautiful coins of the interwar period.
It was originally minted as a circulation coin, but in the end it became a pattern coin, which today is the central element of the most exquisite collections. Coins from the period of the 2nd Republic of Poland mark an exceptional time of Polish numismatics – please take a look at the extremely interesting 5 zloty Constitution coin of 1925.
Several years after Poland regained its independence, the introduction of a new currency, the Polish zloty, started. The introduction of new circulation coins was regulated by resolutions and decrees of Władysław Grabski, Minister of Treasury. On 28th April 1925, the minister issued a decree on changing the 5 zloty coin pattern (originally the image was to be identical to the one on 1 zloty and 2 zloty coins, “A Harvesting Woman” of 1924). Thus, a competition for a design of a new 5 zloty coin was announced, which consequently led to the creation of probably the most beautiful coin of the interwar period.
The design of S. Lewandowski was selected from among several design sent for the competition. Articles about the new coin were published in the press. The National Mint prepared special equipment and the minting of the new coin, a new circulation coin, started. Silver discs of Ag 900 alloy, 37 mm diameter and approx. 25 g weight were prepared.
After striking a certain number of 5 zloty coins, it turned out that the value of silver applied in the coin exceeds its nominal value (other 5 zloty coins were struck in 750 Ag silver alloy). If it had been put into trading, it would quickly disappear from the market and be melted down. Thus, the authorities abandoned its mass minting and qualified the items already minted as pattern coins.
Thus, the would-be circulation coin became a pattern coin and it was sold as a proof coin to numismatists at a slightly higher price than the value of silver. The coin was struck in several variants and metals. 1,000 minted coins had a rim of 81 pearls (flat stamp) and 100 pearls (deep stamp). They appear in single items at coin auctions – their price reaches PLN 20,000.
The variants of these two basic types are particularly interesting. A variant with S.W – W.G. monograms (in honor of President Stanisław Wojciechowski and Władysław Grabski, Minister of Treasury) with the date 3.V.1925 was minted in 100 pieces. The “Constitution” was also struck in titanium and brass – in 100 and 60 pieces respectively.
The golden coin, occurring in merely four pieces, is undoubtedly the most wanted one. In April 2008, one of them was sold at one of coin auctions abroad for a price of USD 218,500, a trifle really.
It should be borne in mind that numerous forgeries of the silver Constitution are in trade. These are mostly poor quality castings, nevertheless one should be very careful, since more and more professionally manufactured forgeries are introduced into the Polish market.
Those who want to see the original “Constitution” coin are welcome to visit the Numismatic Cabinet of the Mint of Poland.
Author: Piotr Kosanowski – piotr_kosanowski@mennica.com.pl
