Trial strikes of Polish commemorative issues from this period were produced internally by Mennica Polska as die and planchet tests, not for circulation or official sale. The Kopernik 100-złotych denomination was struck in multiple metals during trials ahead of the 1973 release marking the 500th anniversary of the astronomer's birth — a politically significant date the Polish government invested heavily in commemorating, given Kopernik's status as a national symbol claimed firmly by Warsaw against persistent German counter-claims of his heritage.
Copper trial pieces of this type are documented in Fischer and Parchimowicz but survive in very small numbers, most retained in institutional holdings.
Trial strikes of Polish commemorative issues from this period were produced internally by Mennica Polska as die and planchet tests, not for circulation or official sale. The Kopernik 100-złotych denomination was struck in multiple metals during trials ahead of the 1973 release marking the 500th anniversary of the astronomer's birth — a politically significant date the Polish government invested heavily in commemorating, given Kopernik's status as a national symbol claimed firmly by Warsaw against persistent German counter-claims of his heritage.
Copper trial pieces of this type are documented in Fischer and Parchimowicz but survive in very small numbers, most retained in institutional holdings.