Description and research notes
High-grade example of the 50 Złotych note dated '1 GRUDNIA 1988' from the Narodowy Bank Polski, printed by Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (PWPW). Bearing prefix HK and serial HK0082865, this piece represents the pinnacle of technical precision achieved by Poland’s state printer in the final years of the PRL era.
The obverse features General Karol Świerczewski, a controversial yet pivotal figure of mid-20th-century Polish history, framed by an intricate network of guilloche and color shifting micro-patterns symbolizing security and modernization. The watermark 'Eagle Arms' is visible at left, while the complex background layers integrate intaglio and offset lithography—a hallmark of late 1980s PWPW craftsmanship.
Certified PMG 68 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated, this is a top-of-population note within the surviving 1988 issue range. The crisp embossing, perfect centering, and original sheen exemplify the banknote’s as-issued condition, offering an archival-level specimen of pre-redenomination Polish design. Together with the companion error note from the same HK prefix, it provides an ideal contrast between flawless production and manufacturing anomaly—a complete study in quality control and printing mastery at PWPW in the closing years of the socialist economy.