10 zł Ignacy Łukasiewicz, 200th birth anniversary

On 8 March 2022 the National Bank of Poland is putting into circulation a silver coin with the face value of PLN 10 "200th Anniversary of Ignacy Łukasiewicz's Birth".

Jan Józef Ignacy Łukasiewicz was a Polish pharmacist and entrepreneur, founder of the world's first oil mine, inventor of the paraffin lamp, pioneer of the oil industry in Europe, revolutionary and independence activist. 

He was the first in the world to exploit the benefits of oil on an industrial scale. A very skilful organiser, he made a large fortune from oil. He was also a great social activist. He promoted the establishment of courts, construction of roads and bridges, schools, hospitals, etc., financing many initiatives out of his own pocket, he fought poverty and alcoholism in the region, created relief funds and pension funds. He strove to develop the nascent oil industry there, not concentrating it entirely in his own hands, but persuading and helping to establish other companies as well.