Casimir III — the only Polish king history has ever called "the Great" — died in 1370 without a legitimate male heir, ending the Piast dynasty after over four centuries. This trial strike was produced during the late communist period, when the National Bank issued a remarkable volume of pattern and proof coinage, partly as hard-currency earners through Western numismatic markets. The Fischer and Parchimowicz references diverge slightly on variety classification, suggesting at least two die or finish states exist within this trial designation.
Casimir III — the only Polish king history has ever called "the Great" — died in 1370 without a legitimate male heir, ending the Piast dynasty after over four centuries. This trial strike was produced during the late communist period, when the National Bank issued a remarkable volume of pattern and proof coinage, partly as hard-currency earners through Western numismatic markets. The Fischer and Parchimowicz references diverge slightly on variety classification, suggesting at least two die or finish states exist within this trial designation.