1978 Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński 100 Złotych

The 1978 100 Złotych coin commemorating Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński was struck in silver, a material choice that reflected Poland's state-controlled mining industry under communism.

That silver content, at 0.625 fineness, made it more durable than many contemporary issues, though it didn't stop the inevitable tarnish over time. The obverse shows Wyszyński's profile, based on official portraits from his later years, while the reverse features the Polish eagle with a wreath—standard for the era's designs.

Not every detail is clear; records on exact distribution channels have faded with the archives. Still, it's a straightforward piece from a series that highlighted national figures amid political shifts.

One oddity: some folks think these coins were blessed, but that's just wishful thinking for a lump of metal.