1978 Poland Interkosmos 100 Złotych Silver Próba – First Pole in Space
The 1978 Poland Interkosmos 100 Złotych Próba is a fascinating silver pattern coin commemorating one of the most significant achievements in Polish space history: the journey of Mirosław Hermaszewski, the first Polish citizen to travel into space.
Issued during the Polish People's Republic, this official Próba (trial strike) was produced in connection with the Interkosmos program, a Soviet-led international space program that allowed astronauts and cosmonauts from allied nations to participate in space missions. Hermaszewski flew aboard Soyuz 30 in June 1978, becoming the first and, at the time, only Polish citizen to reach space.
The obverse features the Polish Eagle, the national emblem of Poland, along with the inscription "POLSKA RZECZPOSPOLITA LUDOWA," the denomination "100 ZŁ," and the year 1978. The reverse features a striking space-themed design commemorating the Interkosmos program, accompanied by the inscriptions "INTERKOSMOS • 78" and "PIERWSZY • POLAK • W • KOSMOSIE" (First Pole in Space), along with the designation "PRÓBA."
Struck at the Warsaw Mint in .625 fine silver, this limited-production pattern was produced in proof format with a reported mintage of only 3,100 pieces. Its relatively low mintage, precious metal content, and connection to Poland's first journey into space make it a particularly appealing issue for collectors of Polish numismatics, space-themed coins, and modern silver commemoratives.
Specifications
Year: 1978
Country: Poland
Denomination: 100 Złotych
Type: Próba (Official Trial Strike / Pattern)
Mint: Warsaw Mint
Composition: .625 Fine Silver
Weight: 16.5 grams
Actual Silver Weight: 0.3316 troy oz (10.31 g)
Diameter: 32 mm
Edge: Plain
Finish: Proof
Reported Mintage: 3,100
Obverse Designer: Stanisława Wątróbska-Frindt
Reverse Designer: Józef Markiewicz-Nieszcz
Historical Significance
Mirosław Hermaszewski became the first Polish citizen to travel into space when he launched aboard Soyuz 30 on June 27, 1978. His mission was part of the Interkosmos program, which brought astronauts from several countries into the Soviet space program.
The phrase "PIERWSZY POLAK W KOSMOSIE" on the coin directly commemorates this historic achievement. Issued during the same year as Hermaszewski's mission, the coin captures an important moment in both Polish and Cold War-era space history.
The "PRÓBA" designation identifies this as an official Polish pattern issue rather than a standard circulating coin. With only 3,100 reported proof examples struck in silver, the coin offers collectors an appealing combination of limited production, silver content, historical significance, and distinctive space-themed artwork.
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