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Message:: [QUOTE="brg5658, post: 1801989, member: 29751"]Below is a nice set of "replica" coins issued by the Polish Mint in 2006 in the design, size, and denominations for which the original Madeyski design was submitted. The woman's head design was submitted for a competition in 1925 as the design for new gold pieces in denominations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 Zlotych.  The design didn't see any use until 1932, and was used on silver coinage in 1932-34 (in modified form with legend text moved to the eagle side). Even though the woman pictured is NOT that of Queen Jadwiga, this design has been referred to as that for many years.  In truth, the depiction of the beautiful woman was titled “Polonia” (Poland in Latin, and the word used for the personification of Poland), and was meant to represent the idealized image of the Polish community. She was crowned with a wreath of clover, symbolic of happiness and prosperity, but also of the Holy Trinity and the contemporary Christian character of the Polish State. The sun’s rays were symbolic of triumph and glory, and a harbinger of further glory; whereas the ears of grain (wheat) emphasized the importance of agriculture to the national economy and a source of prosperity and abundance. <img src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb364/brg5658/CU%20Blogs/set_images_composite_small_zps30fa4b74.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]