⁣⁢Since 1945, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has listed sites as "World Heritage." The goal of this program is to classify, name, and preserve cultural or natural properties of importance to the common heritage of humanity.
The program was founded by the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO General Conference on November 16, 1972.⁤⁣

OBVERSE

The obverse of the coin features the Basilica of the Holy Mary of Krakow on the left of the composition. An emblematic monument of the former Polish capital, it symbolizes the historical, cultural, and spiritual richness of the city. Beside it is John Paul II, a priest, bishop, and then archbishop of Krakow before becoming a cardinal and pope. To the right of the design, the Warsaw Mermaid, a legendary symbol and protector of the capital, recalls the city's attachment to its history. The silhouette of Warsaw City Hall completes
the composition and evokes the exemplary reconstruction of its historic center after the destruction of World War II. The ensemble thus highlights Krakow and Warsaw, the former and current capitals of Poland. Through these two cities inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the coin celebrates both a preserved heritage and the resilience of a reclaimed patrimony, two major expressions of Polish identity and history.

REVERSE

The reverse is common to all coins in the UNESCO World Heritage series. It depicts the globe with parallels and meridians on the left side and inscriptions of major sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage on the right. These inscriptions appear as if carved in stone, echoing the Rosetta Stone. The left side of the globe is surrounded by the UNESCO logo and the marking "World Heritage." The face value is inscribed on the left side of the globe, blending perfectly with the parallels and meridians.