Description and research notes
The 1 Zloty State Note issued by Bank Emisyjny w Polsce and dated Kraków, 1 August 1941, formed part of the second occupation-era monetary issue introduced for circulation within the General Government during the Second World War. As the lowest denomination of the series, it provided everyday transactional currency while reflecting the institutional framework established under the occupation administration.
The banknote measures approximately 97 × 60 millimeters, making it the smallest denomination of the 1941 issue. Despite its compact format, it incorporates the same disciplined approach to engraving, typography, and security printing that characterized the higher denominations of the series.
The obverse is organized around a restrained typographic composition. The issuing authority, denomination, Kraków issue date, and printed signatures of President Feliks Młynarski and Vice President Bronisław Jankowski occupy the central panel, surrounded by dense geometric ornament and finely engraved guilloche borders. Unlike the larger denominations, the design relies entirely on typography and ornamental security engraving rather than portraiture, emphasizing clarity and functional circulation.
The reverse is centred on a large numeral 1 enclosed within an elaborate geometric guilloche framework. Oval denomination panels marked "ZŁ" flank the central value, while the inscriptions BANK EMISYJNY W POLSCE and JEDEN ZŁOTY complete the balanced composition. The paper incorporates a geometric-pattern watermark serving as the principal security feature of the issue.
The note was printed by Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych S.A. in Warsaw. Although issued under the authority of the occupation administration, its engraving, typography, and security printing reflect the continuity of long-established Polish banknote production techniques maintained by the national security printing works.
Banknotes issued by Bank Emisyjny w Polsce later became collectively known in Poland as "Młynarki," a name derived from Bank President Feliks Młynarski. The term refers to the entire family of occupation-era issues rather than to this denomination alone.
This example carries serial number BD3580426 and is classified as Miłczak 99a-b. It preserves the original design, geometric watermark, paper characteristics, and printing features of the 1941 1 Zloty State Note.
The issue documents the monetary system introduced within the General Government during the occupation while preserving the craftsmanship of Polish security engraving and banknote production carried out under wartime conditions.