Poland - 10 Zlotych 2022 - Ignacy Lukasiewicz - inventor of the kerosene lamp

ANRO-1733

Obverse: Left-facing portrait of Ignacy Łukasiewicz, holding a kerosene lamp, the invention that made him famous. To the left of the portrait, the inscription "IGNACEGO ŁUKASIEWICZA" vertically runs along the edge of the coin, identifying the subject. Above the portrait, the inscription "200. ROCZNICA URODZIN" (200th Anniversary of Birth) marks the occasion being commemorated. In the background, there is a detailed depiction of an oil refinery, symbolizing Łukasiewicz's contributions to the oil industry.

Reverse: Emblem of the Republic of Poland, a stylized eagle with outstretched wings, which is a traditional national symbol. Above the eagle, the inscription "RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA" (Republic of Poland) is placed in an arc, emphasizing the coin’s national identity. Below the eagle, the denomination "10 ZŁ" (10 Zlotych) is prominently displayed, with the year of issue "2022" positioned directly beneath the denomination.

Country: Poland
Subject: 200th Anniversary of the Birth
Date: 2022
Denomination: 10 Zlotych
Metal: Silver .999
Weight: 31.10g
Diameter: 32mm
Edge: Plain
Mintage: 10,000 pcs.
Strike quality: Proof
Designer: Dobrochna Surajewska

Ignacy Łukasiewicz, originally known by his Armenian surname Ghukasyan (Ղուկասյան), was a descendant of an Armenian family that had settled in Poland. His family, part of the Armenian nobility, migrated to Poland during the late 17th or early 18th century. This was a time when many Armenians fled westward, particularly to Poland, due to ongoing conflicts in their homeland and surrounding regions, including the Ottoman Empire's pressure on Armenian territories.

Ignacy’s ancestors were indeed part of the Armenian community in Galicia, a historical and geographic region located in what is now southeastern Poland and western Ukraine, which at the time was under the Austrian Empire. This region was known for its significant Armenian population, many of whom were involved in trade and were well-integrated into the local society. His father, Józef Łukasiewicz, was an Armenian nobleman who served in the army of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a key figure in Poland's struggle for independence.

While Łukasiewicz himself is best known for his groundbreaking work in the oil industry, including the invention of the kerosene lamp, his Armenian heritage highlights the rich cultural and historical exchanges that shaped his life and work.