The Mint of Poland is the only mint in the world with the exclusive right to mint coins featuring reproductions of the works of one of the most interesting and fascinating contemporary artists. The first of a series of coins created as a tribute to Zdzisław Beksiński, described as an icon of global surrealism, has just been added to its portfolio. The painting "Figure" has been commemorated in pure silver. Ultimately, the Mint of Poland has planned three-coin series, each with five motifs.

Zdzisław Beksiński's work in a unique setting

"Figure” is a work from a key period of Zdzisław Beksinski's creative activity. The original was sold in 2021 at the auction “Fantastic Art. Surrealism and Magical Realism” for PLN 1.92 million. Now the reproduction, in a unique form, can go to 700 lucky people who will become the owners of the first one of the series of silver coins crafted by the Mint of Poland.

„At the Mint of Poland, we are eager to use our know-how and technological capabilities to support the promotion of culture in the broadest sense, including immortalizing outstanding personalities on small works of art such as our coins. We are proud that, thanks to our cooperation with the Historical Museum in Sanok, an artist who is one of the most important representatives of 20th century Polish art has been given a new life in an unusual setting,” said Katarzyna Budnicka-Filipiuk, President of the Management Board of the Mint of Poland.

To faithfully reproduce the finest details of the artist's works, presented in an unprecedented way, the Mint of Poland used digital printing and microprinting. In cooperation with the Historical Museum in Sanok, the sole copyright holder and host of the gallery named after Zdzisław Beksiński, three series of coins will be produced, each with five motifs. Three coins from the first series will be issued this year and two more the following year. The Mint of Poland has the exclusive right to mint coins depicting the artist's works.

A fantastic series of coins paying tribute to a world-class artist

In addition to the first coin, “Figure”, the series will include “Tram”, “Hamlet”, “Cathedral” and “Ballerina”.  Issue of each of these small works of art will be limited. Only 700 pieces of each theme will be available for sale.

“The silver coins featuring the paintings of Zdzisław Beksiński, known and admired in Poland and around the world, are a unique tribute to this extraordinary artist and his work. What is striking about his impressive achievements is the unprecedented breadth of his interests and his unwavering fidelity to his own artistic pursuits, indifferent to current trends. He has been able to maintain the authenticity of his expression while at the same time attaching principled importance to technical matters, giving his works an unprecedented depth of vision and expressiveness. Zdzisław Beksiński's art has the rare ability to evoke strong emotions and make a deep impression on the recipient, regardless of age, position or interests," said Jarosław Serafin, Director of the Historical Museum in Sanok.

The Mint of Poland has dedicated a special page to reproductions of the artist's works enchanted on coins. Read more at: https://beksinski.mennica.com.pl/.

The Historical Museum in Sanok preserves the memory of Zdzisław Beksiński

The largest exhibition of Zdzisław Beksiński's works in the world, comprising some 600 works, is in the Historical Museum in Sanok. The location is no coincidence. It was in this town, in 1929, that one of the most outstanding contemporary artists was born. As part of the exhibition in Sanok, the artist's early works and a series of unique paintings on glass are presented alongside outstanding photographs from the 1950s. The museum also features a faithful reconstruction of the Beksiński's studio in Warsaw. A treat for connoisseurs of his work is his last painting, completed on the day of his death.