Poland 10 Zlotych 2011 30th Ann, Independent's Student's Union

A silver coin struck on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Independent Students' Union (Niezależne Zrzeszenie Studentów) Obverse: To the left, on the separate pane, the image of an eagle established as the national emblem of the Republic of Poland with the inscription 10ZŁ underneath. Below, on the right side of an eagle signature of emission date: 2011. Centrally, stylized images of six figures. In their background, to the right, the image of the University of Lodz logo. At the top a semicircular inscription: RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA (REPUBLIC OF POLAND). Under the eagle’s left leg the symbol of the mint: M/W. Reverse: Centrally a stylized image of the logo of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Independent Students' Union with an inscription: NZS/30 lat (ISU/30 years) in the background of a pane in the shape of a stylized map of Poland. Below, on the right and left side, stylized images of figures. Along the rim an inscription: 30. ROCZNICA POWSTANIA NIEZALEŻNEGO ZWIĄZKU STUDENTÓW (30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE INDEPENDENT STUDENTS' UNION) ndependent Students' Union was established on 22 September 1980 as a result of workers’ strikes and other memorable events of August 1980 which were an expression of an opposition to the then political regime in the country. In 1980, the Union was, in a sense, a students’ equivalent of the “Solidarity”, embracing young people who wanted a students’ organization to be independent from the state authorities and demanded democratization of academic life, respect for the basic political freedoms in the country and for Polish independence and patriotic traditions. The registration of the Union was delayed by the authorities of the People's Republic of Poland. It was only after students’ strikes, especially in Łódź, that the government agreed to the registration of the organization, which finally took place on 17 February 1981. The first head of the Independent Students’ Union was Jarosław Guzy. Apart from typical student-oriented activities, e.g. campaigns demanding a higher education reform, the organization supported the political activities of the “Solidarity”. After the introduction of martial law, the Union was delegalized and many of its activists were arrested. In some academic centers, however, the Union remained active as an underground organization. After 1989 the Union was re-legalized. Gradually, it changed the focus of its activity, limiting political initiatives in favor of representation of students’ interests and preparation of cultural and entertainment events, to become a typical students’ organization.