“Aeroplane”
is the forth commemorative coin of the “How Man Conquered the
Skies” series.
The Mint of Poland, in an effort to bring man’s dreams of
conquering the skies and admiring the world from up above closer,
decided to produce a new series of silver - commemorative coins,
entitled “How Man Conquered the Skies” to present
the numerous attempts over the years to soar through the air.
The first coin of the
series depicted Icarus, the mythological forerunner of aviation. The
second coin presented the invention of the Montgolfier brothers - the
hot air balloon whilethe third commemorated the Glider designed by Otto
Lilienthal.
The coins will be struck at a very low mintage - up to 6,000
pieces - using Ag 925 blanks, in proof quality.
- Obverse: the central part of the coin
features images of flying objects: a technical drawing of an Antonov
plane wing, to the right an engine with a star pattern of pistons, to
the left a profile of an aerobatics plane, and above it a
bird’s wing. To the left side of the coin, along its rim an
inscription: Niue Island and the face value: 1 Dollar, issue date:
2011. In the top part of the coin the effigy of Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II with the inscription: Elizabeth II, the mint’s
mark (m/w), and along the rim the title of the series:
“How Man Conquered the Skies”.
- Reverse:
in the central part of the coin: a stylized image of the aeroplane
designed by the Wright Brothers. At the bottom: images of the
constructors and inscriptions: Orville & Wilbure Wright. In the
background: a horizon outline.
- Designer: Witold
Nazarkiewicz
The era of airplanes began from the breakthrough invention by the
Wright Brothers.
Orville (1871-1948) and Wilbure (1867-1917) built a plane which was
capable - to fly thanks to its combustion engine. In 1903 they
successfully completed their first controlled flight, which lasted 12
seconds.
Another important step pushing aviation to the next level was the
development of the jet engine in the 1930s. Piston engines proved to be
of little value when flying at high speeds and significant altitudes
where the air is rarefied.
As early as 1928 a British engineer, Frank Whittle (1907-1996),
patented his first design of jet engine. However, the first jet
airplane called Heinkel He 178, was constructed in Germany by Ernst
Heinkel in 1939. During World War II British and American troops
deployed their jet airplanes in numerous important and deciding
battles.
The jet aircraft of today are capable of breaking the sonic barrier.