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GREAT COMMANDERS SERIES
When we look back to the past, we see that the courage, bravery,
heroism and charisma
of great personalities have always aroused not only people’s
admiration and respect, but also
submission, and even fear.
However, such strong characters contributed to the rapid development
of the areas they conquered. This is why it is worthwhile to remember
the times of great commanders
whose deeds and triumphs got down in history.
To meet the expectations of numismatic collectors,
the Mint of Poland started the “Great Commanders”
series under an international program.
The coins bearing the characters of signifi cant commanders, including
Chingiz Khan
and Attila the Hun, have already been issued by the Republic of
Kazakhstan.
The Mint of Poland is currently working on new coins featuring Charles
the Great.
The Sitting Bull lived
between 1831 and 1890. He was a Native American chief and a holy man
from the ethnic group of Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux. His authority was
symbolized by the beautiful decoration of the head with feathers
received as a token of esteem from the best warriors. The Sitting Bull
devoted his whole life to the fight against the white man who was a
danger to the life of the Native Americans. In 1868, on the basis of
the Treaty of Fort Laramie, it was guaranteed that the people of the
Sitting Bull would still be able to inhabit the Black Hills (an area of
the Big Horn Mountains). Unfortunately, after 6 years gold was found in
the area, which brought miners, and then an army of soldiers.
In 1876, the Sitting Bull won the Battle of the Little Bighorn,
defeating the army of General George Crook. After the battle, he led
his people to Canada, deciding to stay there due to the failure of
peace negotiations with the Americans. He managed to obtain a guarantee
of protection by the Canadian police. Despite this, the Americans
continued to take measures which were to lead to the annihilation of
the Native Americans. The Sioux were deprived of food as a result of
wiping out of the buffalo, which was the main source of nutrition for
them. As part of repressive measures, the Sitting Bull was imprisoned
and then moved to a reservation. For some time he participated in the
"Wild West Show" of Buffalo Bill, travelling with the performances
across Europe.
In 1890, after he had settled in the reservation, he was shot along
with thirteen other Native Americans by Native American policemen
serving in the US army. The fight for life was thus ended.