This nickel trial strike was produced as part of NBP's internal approval process for the 1980 commemorative program honoring Bolesław I, Poland's first crowned king. Trial pieces in this series were struck in alternative metals — nickel here rather than the issued copper-nickel — to allow mint technicians and bank officials to evaluate die quality and relief before committing to full production runs. Survivors reached the market almost exclusively through later deaccessions and collector sales rather than any formal distribution.
This nickel trial strike was produced as part of NBP's internal approval process for the 1980 commemorative program honoring Bolesław I, Poland's first crowned king. Trial pieces in this series were struck in alternative metals — nickel here rather than the issued copper-nickel — to allow mint technicians and bank officials to evaluate die quality and relief before committing to full production runs. Survivors reached the market almost exclusively through later deaccessions and collector sales rather than any formal distribution.