An image of the eagle established as the state emblem of the Republic of Poland; on the sides of the Eagle the notation of the year of issue, 19-96; below the eagle an inscription, ZŁ 2 ZŁ, in the rim an inscription, RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA, preceded and followed by six pearls. The mint's mark, M/W, under the Eagle's left leg.

Half-length figure of Sigismund II Augustus.

Sigismund II Augustus (Polish: Zygmunt II August) (1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the only son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. Married three times, the last of the Jagiellons remained childless, and was a passionate collector of jewels.

Sigismund II mediated for twenty years between the Catholic Church and the Protestants. His most striking memorial may have been the Union of Lublin, which united Poland and Lithuania into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth — the "Republic of the Two Nations". Also, German-speaking Royal Prussia and Prussian cities were included.