Famous Medalists – Józef Gosławski
At the beginning of October 2009 the Mint of Poland will issue the second set of the antique coins in a series called ‘Famous Medalists’ devoted to the artistic work of the medalist Józef Gosławski.
A medal “Year 1939”, which has been made from plaster model created 70 years ago by the artist, deserves special attention.
A design of the medal was created 70 years ago, however, due to military actions the medal was not struck. The design was stored for several dozens of years in the studio of the medalist by his family. It saw the light of day only during preparation of the set of the antique coins devoted to Józef Gosławski. For the needs of the project the family has passed it on to the Mint of Poland. This way a beautiful and unique medal has been created.
The obverse side of the medal depicts stylized figures of the soldiers in a dynamic scene of battle. At the top there is an inscription ‘Year’ and at the bottom ‘1939’. In the bottom right-hand corner there is a mark ‘MET M/W’.
The reverse side of the medal contains an 8-line long inscription ‘IN SEPTEMBER 1939 INVADED BY THE GERMAN AND SOVIET ARMY – WE POLES – SACRIFICING OUR BLOOD WERE DEFENDING THE FREEDOM OF PEOPLES, HONOUR AND RELIGION’. Around it there are 4 concentrations of the oak leaves and bayonets.
The theme of the medal perfectly integrates into the September anniversaries connected with the Second World War. It also enriches the artistic work of Józef Gosławski – reflects his style and character.
The set of the antique coins ‘Famous Medalists – Józef Gosławski’ will be issued at the beginning of October 2009. In an elegant case there will be the abovementioned medal ‘Year 1939’, a replica of the circulating coin ‘Fisherman’ of the nominal value of 5 zloty from the year 1958 the reverse of which was designed by J.Gosławski, as well as a medal of which author is Hanna Jelonek depicting the artist F.Chopin and the sculpture of him from Żelazowa Wola created by Gosławski. The replica of the coin ‘Fisherman’ will also be minted in silver and gold.
The set will be issued in a limited edition of 1000 items.
Mariusz Przybylski
