One of the most successful designs of Polish banknotes.
A non-circulating banknote according to the literature, although there are many indications that officers' pay was paid with it.
A PMG-certified banknote with an amazing PMG 66 EPQ grade.
The only piece to receive such a high grade in the PMG register.
Banknote with no obvious signs of discoloration within the margins, only with minor superficial soiling on the reverse within the upper margin. The bottom right corner shows traces of secondary trimming, although its pronounced irregularity is puzzling. The banknote measures 181 x 111 mm.
The texture of the paper is naturally rough, the colors are vivid, and we have no reservations about the naturalness of the bill in the mentioned ranges.
Piece with book-like appearance. Granted the note is in accordance with the scale adopted by PMG, although the irregularity of the edges should be borne in mind.
In 1919, a law was passed naming the future Polish currency and establishing the Bank of Poland. It was thought that it would be possible to carry out the exchange of Polish marks for zlotys in a short time. The only reason, as it seemed at the time, for not implementing the resolution was the lack of means of payment bearing value in the new currency. The difficult situation of the reborn country influenced the fact that it was decided to introduce only banknotes into circulation. Due to the lack of a modern printing plant in the country, the order was turned to abroad. Due to the rush, the question of the appearance of the graphic design of Polish paper money was left in the hands of the graphic designers employed by the printing houses that were to make the banknotes. The order was accompanied by photographs of popular images of Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Jozef Poniatowski.
Initially, ten denominations were planned for circulation. The lower denominations from 1 to 50 zlotys were printed in 1919 by the Banque de France. On the other hand, banknotes with denominations from 100 to 5,000 were printed in 1920 by the London printing house Waterlow & Sons Limited.
In 1924, Poland underwent a currency reform that resulted in the conversion of Polish marks into zlotys. On the day the Bank of Poland opened, six of the ten denominations were allowed into circulation. Banknotes in the denominations of 1 and 2 zlotys were put into circulation as pass tickets of the Ministry of the Treasury, but were not provided with the appropriate overprints informing of this fact. The two highest denominations - 1,000 and 5,000 zlotys - also did not enter circulation. These banknotes were not put into circulation because their face value was too high.
The graphic design of the banknotes ordered in 1919 is kept in a neo-Baroque style. Only the 10 zloty is characterized by Art Nouveau geometrization of space. Starting with the 50 zloty denomination, the graphic design of each denomination is enriched by ornamental motifs in the form of acanthus leaves, bunches of fruit, shells, palmettes and guilloches.
The main accent of the obverse of each denomination is a bust of a national hero. On the reverse of the 5, 20, 50, 100 and 500 zloty banknotes, a White Eagle in an open crown was placed at the height of a portrait of Kosciuszko or Poniatowski.
In the middle of 1924, the money market experienced a shortage of the most commonly used paper money in everyday life. In view of the situation, it was decided to print banknotes with denominations of 5, 10 and 20 zlotys. This task was entrusted to the State Graphic Works in Warsaw. On the banknotes printed in Warsaw, the date of issue was changed to July 15, 1924, the wording of the legal clause and the signatures.
