4199) "Jan Karol Chodkiewicz (c.1570 – 1621)", Hetman (comparable to Field Marshal), Poland.: "Hetmans of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Republic of Poland (RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA): The second 500 Zlotych (Gold) and 10 Zlotych (Silver), High-Relief One-Ounce Proof Coins issued in the Coin Series: Coins minted by Mennica Polska – Mint of Poland at their facilities in Warsaw and on behalf of the National Bank: Date/Year of Coins issue: 23.10.2025:
The National Bank of Poland has released Gold and Silver Proof, High-relief Coins featuring Hetmans of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
A portrait of Chodkiewicz based on a contemporary copper-plate engraving features on the Reverse.
Titled Hetmans of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the series highlights some of the most outstanding military figures who attained the highest rank of command, second only to the country’s monarch.
The title of Hetman is comparable to a field marshal or imperial marshal in the Holy Roman Empire which was first used by the Czechs in Bohemia in the 15th century.
Attaining the title of Hetman is the second-highest military commander after the king in the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Hetmans were not paid any additional monies or recompense for their services by the Royal Treasury.
The second coin in the series highlights the life and times of Jan Karol Chodkiewicz (c.1570 – 1621) whose true martial talent became evident during the wars with the Swedes in Livonia.
He distinguished himself at the Battle of Kokenhausen and during the defence of Riga.
His early life and upbringing were quite typical of the son of a wealthy businessman which included carefully chosen schools in his home country, he then went on to continue his studies in Germany and Italy.
His foreign travels culminated in a stay in Malta, where he became acquainted with modern military technique.
He gained his first military experience under the command of Stanisław Żółkiewski and Jan Zamoyski and distinguished himself at the Battle of Kokenhausen and during the defence of Riga.
After taking independent command, he won a brilliant victory at Biały Kamień, which earned him the great mace of Lithuania.
The newly appointed hetman led his troops against the Swedish army besieging Riga, under the command of King Charles IX of Sweden.
The clash took place on the 27th of September 1605 near Kircholm.
Approximately 3600 soldiers of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth faced 11,000 Swedes.
Chodkiewicz, regardless of the enemy’s numerical superiority achieved a spectacular victory thanks to the precise use of his modest forces, especially the heavy cavalry, the hussars. Within a few hours, the Swedish army was defeated and the wounded king fled the battlefield.
The Grand Hetman Chodkiewicz of Lithuania was known for his energy and foresight, but also his impulsiveness.
On the battlefield, he employed an economy of force and executed daring manoeuvres aimed at breaking enemy resistance, also utilising field fortifications in battle. His remarkable victories earned him a place in the pantheon of Old Polish commanders, with his contemporaries nicknaming Chodkiewicz the ‘Lithuanian Achilles’.
Jan Karol Chodkiewicz died on the 24th September 1621, on the front lines during the battle of Khotyn, in the besieged Khotyn Fortress, days before the Ottomans gave up on the siege and agreed to negotiate.
The 500 Zlotych Gold and 10 Zlotych Silver Proof coins have been minted using a high relief strike by the Mennica Polska – Mint of Poland at their facilities in Warsaw and on behalf of the National Bank.
Designed by Dobrochna Surajewska, the Reverse of the 500 Zlotych (Gold) and 10 Zlotych (Silver) Proof Coins features a front-facing portrait of Chodkiewicz which is based on a contemporary copper-plate engraving.
In the background to the left, a fragment of a plan of the Battle of Chocim can be seen.
Below the portrait along the lower periphery is the text "JAN KAROL CHODKIEWICZ".
The Obverse of the 500 Zlotych (Gold) and 10 Zlotych (Silver) Proof Coins includes an image of the crowned eagle, the official state emblem of Poland.
Chodkiewicz won a brilliant victory at Biały Kamień, which earned him the great mace of Lithuania which is depicted diagonally from the lower right along with the Coat of Arms from Jan Karol Chodkiewicz’s own seal shown to the right of the mace.
Above the primary design along the periphery is the text "RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA 2025" and below is the denomination 500 ZŁ. (gold) or 10 ZŁ. (silver).
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Mintage Limit
10 Zlotych .999 Silver 31.1 g. 32 mm. Proof 8000 pieces
500 Zlotych 999.9 Gold 31.1 g. 32 mm. Proof 1000 pieces
- Available from the 23rd October, both the gold and silver proof quality coins are encapsulated and presented in a heavy-gauge lined card case, accompanied with a certificate of authenticity (COA).
Links to other posts on Ukrainian Coins/Banknotes on this Blog:
7) "Sovka roskoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth, Ukraine: Sterling Silver Proof (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hrvynia) coins issued under its "Native Flora and Fauna Coin Series" by the National Bank of Ukraine
8) 1075 years since Princess Olga (890-969 AD), Ukraine: A Silver Proof Coin brought out by the National Bank of Ukraine,minted by the Ukrainian Mint: Year of issue: 2020
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