The “Ducat of Sigismund the Elder” from “The History of Polish Coin” series is the ninth token from the numismatic collection issued by the Narodowy Bank Polski (the central bank of Poland). It opens the third part of the series devoted to the modern era in the history of Polish coinage.



commemorative and historical value

minted in .925 sterling silver

fusion of traditional and contemporary coinage

limited mintage

attractive design

decoration with selective gilding

The reign of Sigismund I the Old opens a new chapter in the history of Polish coinage. He brings an end to the era of medieval coins, with a half-grosz being the unit of account, and introduces a modern currency based on zloty. New coins changed in terms of appearance. The effigy of a ruler is more realistic and accompanied by a year of issue. In this context, the introduction of a gold ducat was an important step ahead. The ducat of Sigismund I of Poland issued in 1529 bears a Renaissance-like effigy of the king wearing an armor and a crown. The coin’s reverse depicts a five-field shield with the Polish White Eagle, the Lithuanian Chase, the Russian Lion, the Prussian Eagle and the Habsburg coat of arms. The latter stands for the king’s mother Elizabeth of Austria, wife of Casimir IV Jagiellon. The shield is enframed with letters C–N standing for the place where the issue was struck (Cracovia) and the first name of the crown Treasurer Mikołaj Szydłowiecki (Nicolaus). The Latin inscription IVSTVS VT PALMA FLOREBIT means ‘the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree’.