By Greg Cohen, Numismatist and Consignment Director
From a mintage of 201 sets, Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio are pleased to be able offer (count them) four 1987 Polish gold proof sets commemorating Pope John Paul II’s visit to the United States. These desirable sets will be offered in Session B (Friday, August 10) of our official auction of the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money. The sets each contain a 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Zlotych. The coins are all of the same design: the obverse shows a half-length portrait of the popular pontiff facing left, with full ceremonial robes and mitre holding a crucifix topped staff. The reverse shows the Polish white eagle dividing the date, denomination below. Each of the sets is NGC graded and the grades range from Proof-65 Ultra Cameo to Proof-69 Ultra Cameo.
Coins depicting John Paul II are extremely popular, as there is much discussion of his becoming a Saint in the future. This is especially true of the coins from his native Poland, where he is a source of national pride and inspiration. Since there were only 201 sets produced in 1987, there are precious few available to the collecting population, especially when the popularity of this set is extended to the general public, not just numismatists. It is unlikely that such a large offering of this set will be seen any time soon.
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