1979 AD., Poland, Duke Mieszko I Commemorative, Warsaw mint, 50 ZÅ‚otych, KM Y 100.

Poland, Polish Peoples Republic (1949-90), Polish Rulers Series - Duke Mieszko I Commemorative, Warsaw mint, 1979 AD.,
50 Złotych (ø 30,5 mm / 11,65 g), copper-nickel, 11,70 g. theor. mint weight,mintage 2.640.000 , axes medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), reeded edge,
Obv.: POLSKA RZECZPOLSPOLITA LUDOWA / 19 - 79 / ZL 50 ZL , Polish eagle dividing date, mint mark mw -monogram below r. claw.
Rev.: MIESZKO I - 960-992 , his crowned bust facing half left.
KM Y 100 ; Parchimowicz 257 .

Year / Mint Mark / Mintage
1979 MW 2.640.000
1979 MW 5.000 (proof)

Mieszko I (ca. 940 – 25 May 992), was the ruler of the Polans from about 960 until his death. A member of the Piast dynasty, he was son of Siemomysł; grandchild of Lestek; father of Bolesław I the Brave, the first crowned King of Poland.

The first historical ruler of Poland, Mieszko I is considered the de facto creator of the Polish state. He continued the policy of both his father and grandfather, who were rulers of the pagan tribes located in the area of present Greater Poland. Either through alliances or by use of military force, Mieszko extended the ongoing conquests and early in his reign subordinated Kuyavia and probably Gdańsk Pomerania and Masovia. For most of his reign, Mieszko I was involved in warfare for the control of Western Pomerania, eventually conquering it up to the vicinity of the lower Oder. During the last years of his life he fought the Bohemian state, winning Silesia and probably Lesser Poland.

Mieszko I's marriage in 965 to the Czech Přemyslid princess Dobrawa and his baptism in 966 put him and his country in the cultural sphere of Western Christianity. Apart from the great conquests accomplished during his reign (which proved to be fundamental for the future of Poland), Mieszko I was renowned for his internal reforms, aimed at expanding and improving the so-called war monarchy system.