10 Zlotys Liberation of 'KL Auschwitz-Birkenau'
| Issuer | Poland |
|---|---|
| Year | 2010 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Value | 10 Zlotys (10 Złotych) |
| Currency | Fourth Zloty (1995-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.925) |
| Weight | 14.14 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Y#713 |
| Obverse description | National coat of arms, pediment and barbed wire of the camp. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | OSWOBODZENIA KL AUSCHWITZ- BIRKENAU 65. ROCZNICA mw 2010 ZŁ 10 RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA |
| Reverse description | Prisoner between 2 rows of barbed wire. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | TWÓRCA ZWIĄZKU ORGANIZACJI WOJSKOWEJ WITOLD PILECKI KL Auschwitz 4859 |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint |
(MW) Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska),Warsaw, Poland (1766-date) |
| Mintage |
2010 MW - Proof - 80 000 |
| Numisquare ID | 1697775110 |
| Additional information |
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Historical Context: Issued by the Republic of Poland in 2010, this 10 Zlotys coin commemorates the 65th anniversary of the liberation of KL Auschwitz-Birkenau. This era represents post-communist Poland, a democratic state committed to remembering and educating about the atrocities of World War II. The coin serves as a profound national and international remembrance of the Holocaust, honoring the victims and survivors of the largest Nazi German concentration and extermination camp, emphasizing the enduring human cost of genocide.
Artistry: Designed by the notable Polish engraver Robert Kotowicz, the coin embodies a modern commemorative style, blending poignant symbolism with stark realism. The reverse typically depicts a powerful, evocative scene, often featuring stylized human figures walking beneath barbed wire, symbolizing the suffering and the path to liberation. The inscription "65 ROCZNICA WYZWOLENIA KL AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU" anchors the design. The obverse bears the Polish eagle, rendered with meticulous detail, upholding the nation's numismatic tradition.
Technical/Grading: Struck in .925 fine silver, weighing 14.14 grams with a diameter of 32 mm, this coin exhibits excellent technical qualities typical of modern Polish commemoratives. Key high-points for grading include the intricate details of the barbed wire, the definition of the human figures on the reverse, and the delicate feathering of the eagle on the obverse. A strong strike is expected, resulting in sharp relief and well-defined lettering, with minimal field imperfections in higher uncirculated grades.