W048
Nordic Gold (gold-colored copper alloy), AU
27 mm (1”), 8.15 grams
HISTORY: The Polish currency is the złoty, equal to 100 grosz, with an exchange rate of between 4 and 5 euros. Minted by Mennica Polska (founded in 1766), all currency is issued by the Narodowy Bank Polski (National Bank of Poland, or NBP), Warsaw.
OBVERSE: “RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA” (Republic of Poland) surrounds the rim and frames the Polish coat of arms crowned white eagle. “ZŁ 2 ZŁ” anchors the bottom of this coin. The date is split with “20” to the left, and “04” to the right of the eagle’s claws. Within the eagle’s left claw (coin right of center) is the Mennica Polska logo. The obverse was designed by renowned, award-winning medalist, Ewa Tyc-Karpinska (1941--).
REVERSE: A simulated racetrack follows the rim, focused on the three Greek athlete runners across the center. Within the racetrack are the words “IGRZYSKA XXVIII OLIMPIADY” (Games of the 28th Olympiad) followed by “ATENY 2004” at the bottom. The reverse was designed by Ursula Walerzak, and next to the lead runner’s right foot is her stylized mark, “UW.”
EDGE: Smooth, with recurrent letters and stars “* N B P *“ inscribed around the edge, right-side-up and, alternately, upside-down.
