Search This Blog

Thursday 4 June 2020

1381) St. Mary's Basilica, Krakow, Poland: 700th Anniversary of its consecration: 50 Zlotych Silver Proof Collector Coin and a 5 Zlotych Bi-metallic Circulation Coin issued by the National Bank of Poland, minted by the Mint of Poland: Date of Coins issue: 22.05.2020:

1381) St. Mary's Basilica, Krakow, Poland: 700th Anniversary of its consecration: 50 Zlotych Silver Proof Collector Coin and a 5 Zlotych Bi-metallic Circulation Coin issued by the National Bank of Poland, minted by the Mint of Poland: Date of Coins issue: 22.05.2020:

The National Bank of Poland has issued on 22.05.2020 new Silver Proof Collector Coins with a stained glass insert to mark the 700th Anniversary of the consecration of the Gothic St. Mary's Basilica in Krakow.

The history of the church goes back to the 1220s.

According to chronicler Jan Dlugosz, the first parochial church was founded at the site in 1221-1222. The bishop of Krakow - Iwo Odrowaz - established the parish by transferring it from the Church of the Holy Trinity, which was allocated to the Dominican friars when they arrived in Krakow.

Between 1290 and 1300, anew church in early Gothic style was erected partly on its original foundations and was consecrated in 1320 by Bishop Nanker.

Over the following centuries , the building underwent numerous alterations which included an extended single-nave presbytery under a stellar vault that was built in the second half of the 14th Century.

In the 16th Century, Stalls under canopies were added on both sides of the presbytery.

In the 17th Century, they were equipped with backrests decorated with low reliefs featuring scenes from the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. 

Landmarks of Krakow were enriched with a grand altarpiece, a late Gothic sculptural masterpiece.

During the years 1477 to 1489, Saint Mary's church, had become one of the most readily recognised in the city.

The pentaptych - consisting of five doors and panels depicting various religious saints situated at the altar, was consecrated to the Virgin Mary.

In the 18th Century, in the time of Mitred Prelate Jacek Lopacki, the church interior was thoroughly modernised in the late Baroque style.

By 1795, the church cemetery was  deconstructed to construct St. Mary's Square, which was built on its grounds. At that time, some of the extant epitaphs were transferred onto the church walls.

In the late 19th Century, Tadeusz Stryjeriski headed another extensive restoration of the Basilica. During this time, Jan Matejko designed painted decorations for the oresbytery, which were created by Stanislaw Wyspiarianski, Josef Mehoffer and other well known artists of the day.

The Basilica's interior and ceiling vault imitates a starry sky and paintings cover the walls with ornamental and heraldic motifs.

The last thorough renovation of the church interior was carried out at the beginning of the 21st Century.

Presently, the Veit Stoss Altarpiece and the organ are undergoing a thorough restoration.

The Commemorative Coins:


The Obverse and Reverse of the 50 Zlotych Silver Proof Coin, placed side-by-side together with the Presentation Case and Certificate of Authenticity


An enlarged image of Obverse of the Silver Proof Coin showcasing the replica of the Stained Glass pane which features on this coin

The large-sized Silver Proof Coins with a precise replica of one of the Basilica's stained glass panes have been minted by the Mint of Poland at its facilities in Warsaw, on behalf of the National Bank of Poland.



The Obverse of the 50 Zlotych Silver Proof Coin features a fragment of a presbytery window from St. Mary's Basilica in Krakow with colourful stained glass representing a late-Gothic tracery with floral patterns.

On the lower periphery are depicted the figures of Mary and Joseph presenting the infant Jesus at the temple.

In the centre, there is an image of the figure from the predella (or platform) on which an altar is placed of the Veit Stoss Altarpiece representing the Jesse Tree.

The denomination of the coin "50 ZL" and the year of issue "2020" are included towards the centre to lower right periphery.


The Reverse of the 50 Zlotych Silver Proof Coin features an image of St. Mary's Basilica in Krakow on the right and a colourful stained-glass window on the left.

The inscriptions are - "KONSEKRACJI KOSCIOLA MARIACKIEGO W KRAKOWIE" (meaning "Consecration of St. Mary's Church in Krakow") and "700 LECIE" (meaning "700th Anniversary") just below the glass window insert.

The specifications of this Silver Coin are:

Denomination: 50 Zlotych; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 62.2 grams or 2.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 45.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with an insert; Maximum Mintage: 6,000 pieces; Year: 2020; Designer: Sebastian Mikolajczak; Minted by: Mint of Poland; On Behalf of: The National Bank of Poland.

Presentation: Each Coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom heavy-gauge lined card and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

Circulation Coins of the denomination of 5 Zlotych have also been issued by the National Bank of Poland.

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 5 Zlotych; Metal Composition: Bi-metallic; Weight: 6.5 grams; Diameter/Size: 24.0 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated; Maximum Mintage: 1.20 million pieces; Minted by: Mint of Poland; On Behalf of: National Bank of Poland; Year: 2020.








Links:


No comments:

Post a Comment