The Constitution of 3 May 1791 was the first codified national constitution in modern Europe — predating the French constitution by several months — drafted by a reformist Sejm working under the looming threat of Russian intervention. That threat proved real almost immediately. The Targowica Confederation, backed by Catherine the Great, used the constitution as its pretext for invasion within a year of its passage, and the document was nullified before it had any practical effect.
Niue has long served as an issuing vehicle for Polish commemorative gold, with the numismatic program effectively operating as a Polish collector series in all but sovereign name.
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 was the first codified national constitution in modern Europe — predating the French constitution by several months — drafted by a reformist Sejm working under the looming threat of Russian intervention. That threat proved real almost immediately. The Targowica Confederation, backed by Catherine the Great, used the constitution as its pretext for invasion within a year of its passage, and the document was nullified before it had any practical effect.
Niue has long served as an issuing vehicle for Polish commemorative gold, with the numismatic program effectively operating as a Polish collector series in all but sovereign name.