Frederic Chopin – series: Famous Medalists, Silver

A third theme from the “Famous Medalists” series devoted to the figure of outstanding artist Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz.

This is a silver replica of the first Polish collector’s coin – 50 zloty from 1972 depicting a figure of Frederic Chopin made by Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz. It is part of the “Famous Medalists” series devoted to the artistic work of the most outstanding Polish medal artists. The following numismats have been released so far: Stanisława Wątróbska-Frindt and Józef Gosławski.

Obverse:
In the center, an image of the eagle established for the emblem of the Polish People’s Republic. Inscription in the rim: POLSKA RZECZPOSPOLITA LUDOWA (POLISH PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC). At the bottom the face value: 50 zł. The date of issue: 1972 on the right and left of the eagle.

Reverse:
An effigy of Frederic Chopin’s face turned left. Inscription along the rim: FRYDERYK CHOPIN 1810 - 1849. Inscription on the left: REPLICA (REPLICA), and on the right, designer’s initials JJ and grade of silver – Ag 925.

Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz (born February 27, 1919 in Kalisz, died on July 14, 2005 in Warsaw) – Polish sculptor, author of the Mały Powstaniec (Little Insurgent) figure in Warsaw.

At first he received education in Krakow, then in Warsaw. He did not finish his studies until the end of the war. Between 1950 and the 80s (for 35 years), he run a sculpture studio at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts.

When he was still a student, he designed a sculpture entitled “Dziecko – bohater” (“The Child – the hero”) which was used in 1983 as a model of the “Little Insurgent” figure. The figure was ceremonially unveiled on October 1, 1983 during the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of conferring the name of “The Children of Warsaw” upon Chorągiew Warszawskiej ZHP (the Warsaw Banner of the Polish Scouting Association). The figure of a boy wearing too big a helmet, a gun hanging over its shoulder and huge boots was situated near a caterpillar made of bronze in Podwale. The author dedicated it to the scouts of Warsaw.

In the 60s, the author created giant-sized geometric openwork sculptures made of metal which were integrated into the urban space. They were unusual sculptures made of welded debris: hooks, blades, bayonets, chains, elements of equipment, and abstract arrangements, e.g. “The Windows”, “The Rhythms” and “The Sails”. Only some of them have survived to the present day, e.g. in Kasprzaka Street in Warsaw, near Prymas Tysiąclecia Avenue. Jarnuszkiewicz also dealt with medal making and graphic arts. For instance, he is the author of the first Polish collector coin of the face value of 50 Polish zloty – Frederic Chopin from 1972 which was replicated and issued as a third theme in the “Famous Medalists” series devoted to the artistic work of the most prominent Polish medal artists.