1 Crown - Elizabeth II General Sikorski
1993 year| Copper-nickel | 28.28 g | 38.6 mm |
| Issuer | Gibraltar (British Overseas Territories) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 1993 |
| Value | 1 Crown (0.25) |
| Currency | Crown Coinage (1967-date) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Weight | 28.28 g |
| Diameter | 38.6 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#79869 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
Bust of General Sikorski with aircraft and Rock of Gibraltar in background
Script: Latin
Lettering:
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP POLAND · POLSKA
JULY 4 1943-1993
LIBERATOR
GENERAL SIKORSKI
1
CROWN
Edge
Reeded
Comment
Soldier and statesman, Wladyslaw Sikorski worked tirelessly to steel the patriotism of his countrymen. His own zeal had been forged fighting for freedom from Tsarist rule. After Pilsudski's coup in 1926 he had left Poland, but returned in 1938 to promote alliance with Britain and France. When Poland was invaded by Germany and Russia in 1939, he fled and fought in France. When Poland collapsed, he was appointed premier of the government in exile and c-in-c of the Free Polish forces. In 1941 he signed a treaty with the Soviet Union
repudiating the partition of Poland and allowing General Anders to raise an army of Polish POW's, notably 8000 officers known to be held
near Smolensk. This activity exposed evidence of the Katyn massacre and in April 1943 Sikorski requested an investigation. Churchill refused in order to preserve Polish-Soviet relations. He failed and Sikorski died in an air crash at Gibraltar 3 months later.
Interesting fact
The 1993 Gibraltar 1 Crown coin featuring Elizabeth II (General Sikorski) was issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, a significant event in World War II. The coin's design features a portrait of General Władysław Sikorski, the commander of the Polish Army during the battle, on the obverse, and the coat of arms of Gibraltar on the reverse. It's a unique and interesting collector's item for anyone interested in military history or numismatics.
