Mennica Polska (Mint of Poland) – Project realization: The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec – 5 złoty

The issuance of collectible values provides an opportunity to commemorate important historical anniversaries and figures and to develop interests in Polish culture, science and tradition.
The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, founded in 1044,is the oldest existing monastery in Poland. Thus, it is a unique witness to the development of monasticism in Europe and to the long and turbulent history of Poland: from the dawn of statehood, through its golden age, the partitions, to its rebirth in the 20th century.

The innovation of this coin lies in its harmonious combination of traditional elements – such as the image of the White Eagle and the abbey motif – with a modern approach to numismatic design. The two-color design, precise details and high quality workmanship make this coin not only a payment function, but also a valuable collector’s item.

Special features of this coin:
Bicolor – the combination of two metals gives the coin a unique character.
Historical motif – the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec is a tribute to Polish cultural and religious heritage.
Artistic workmanship – delicate lines, precise details and harmonious composition make the coin stand out.

Historical Fidelity: The architectural details depicted on the coin, such as the Romanesque basilica, reflect the various architectural styles that have appeared in Týnec over the centuries, which helps to maintain authenticity and capture the spirit of the place.

Bicolor: The coin is designed in a way that emphasizes the value and stature of the site by using two different metals – a gold core and a silver ring. This technique not only adds visual appeal, but also symbolizes the abbey’s durability and importance.

Arrangement of elements: The central part of the coin, which bears the image of the abbey, is surrounded by the inscription ”Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec” and the abbreviation NBP, which creates a balance between the elements and makes it easier to identify the coin as a product of the National Bank of Poland.

Moleted edge: An irregularly mottled edge with an eight-fold repetition of the ”NBP” inscription, every other one turned 180 degrees, provides additional protection against counterfeiting and adds to the coin’s uniqueness.
In summary, the design strategy for this coin was to combine a deep respect for Polish cultural heritage with modern numismatic techniques.

The special role of Tyniec Abbey in the consciousness of Poles is brought to light by the period of partitions, during which the monastery was dissolved. Despite this dissolution, it remained in the collective memory, as evidenced, among others, by Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel ‘The Teutonic Knights’ (the plot of the book begins in Tyniec, with a rich description of the monastery and the legends associated with it) and Saturnin Świerzyński’s painting ‘View of Tyniec’ from 1867, housed in the National Museum in Krakow. It depicts the view of the place during this period, a sight familiar to Poles and close to their hearts, whose recollection raised their spirits during the partitions. Tyniec and its ruins also inspired other writers and artists such as Stefan Żeromski and Teodor Parnicki.

During the reconstruction of the monastery in the post-war period, a set of twin Romanesque capitals dating from around 1100 was discovered. One of them shows a beautiful relief palmette motif, which was reproduced on the current ten złoty banknote. And thus, the centuries-old Tyniec capital has become an everyday companion of almost every Pole.