Over the centuries there were many important battles fought. Important to some, not so important others. One, such battle, was the Battle of Grunwald which took place in 1410, six hundred years ago in the regions of Poland, Germany, Belarus and Lithuania. This is not an article of military history, but only the reason three countries struck coins in 2010 honoring the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald. Two of the countries issuing a commemoratrive in 2010 are Lithuania and Poland because before the battle neither country existed. Upon winning the battle, the inhabitants of the area declared independence and proceeded to create the two new countries. Two portions of the winning populace became part of Germany and Belarus. Lithuania's commemorative of the 600th Anniversary of the important battle is a circulating commemorative 1 Litas coin. One side features banners and numerous spears and the dates 1410 - 2010. The other side pictures Vytas, the white knight, who has been the Lithuanian state emblem since the 14th century. Vytas was widely used on the banners of Lithuanian regiments during the battle. The coin measures 22.3 mm and has a composition of Copper-nickel (photo courtesy of worldcoingallery.com): LITHUANIA 2010 1 LITAS, BATTLE OF GRUNWALD Poland's contribution this year is this 2 Zlote coin POLAND 2010 2 Zlote, battle of grunwald One other country, an indirect recipient of the good produced by the Tuetonic Knights' defeat at the Battle of Grunwald is Palau whose economic and political enrichment was inadvertantly bestowed to them during Germany's 15 year governorship of the Island. You see, in 1899, Spain sold the Palau archipelago to Imperial Germany. German overseers taught mining to the natives (bauxite and phosphate) as well as harvesting copra. Palau issued three square, this year (2010), coins. One coin features a multi-colored Polish knight on horseback in the heat of battle. The next shows Vyautas the Great, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his cousin, King Jagiello of Poland, who lead the victorious forces of Lithuania and Poland. The third shows a multi-colored Teutonic Knight in full armor with two swords. The coins are dated 2010 and have the arms of Palau on the obverse. The coins are silver plated and have a Proof-Like finish. Only 2,500 of each coin were issued. (worldcoingallery.com photo) Palau 2010 35mm 1 DOLLAR COINS, BATTLE OF GRUNWALD Thought you'd like to know... Clinker
Interesting story again, Clinker! A while ago I wrote about the Polish and Lithuanian "Grunwald" coins too, including the two pieces you mention here. (The two countries issued a few more, but those are surcharged silver/gold coins.) But I had no idea that Palau had issued coins - or had coins issued - with that theme too ... Somehow the link to the Polish piece does not work; here is a "giant" image. http://www.nbp.pl/banknoty_i_monety...Grunwald_Kluszyn_Grunwald_1410_2zl_rewers.jpg Christian
Hi Christian: The link worked when I posted the trivia, but sometimes they stop after posting. Thanks for providing a live link, in case other members or guests want to view the coin. Clinker
