Collection PL

Poland 1936 — 50 Zlotych Progressive Proof (Pick 78pp2, CM#77c) Reverse Only

Progressive proof of the reverse design for the unissued 1936 50 Zlotych — one of the most advanced and visually ambitious notes ever conceived by the Second Polish Republic. Printed by the Państwowa Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (PWPW) in Warsaw, this sheet captures a transitional stage in the birth of a masterpiece. The reverse artwork was executed under the artistic supervision of Wacław Borowski and engraved by Włodzimierz Vacek, two of the most accomplished figures in pre-war Polish graphic arts. ... Read more →

Poland 1940 — 10 Złotych Bank Emisyjny Series F Giesecke & Devrient (Pick 94a)

The 10 Złotych of 1 March 1940 was the first note issued by Bank Emisyjny w Polsce, the German-controlled central bank established in the General Government after the September 1939 invasion. Designed and printed by Giesecke & Devrient in Leipzig, it replaced pre-war Bank Polski currency and became the everyday money of occupied Poland. Obverse: allegorical female figures of Industry and Agriculture within neoclassical ornament; crowned female head at left — a faint echo of national dignity amid occupation imagery. ... Read more →

Poland 1919 (ND 1924) — 100 Złotych Issued Note (Pick 57)

100 Złotych dated 28 February 1919, part of the first złoty issue commissioned by the newly reborn Republic of Poland. Printed by Waterlow & Sons in London, this landmark series replaced the chaotic wartime mark with a stable national currency, reinforcing sovereignty after more than a century of partitions. The obverse features Tadeusz Kościuszko, hero of both Poland and the American Revolution, whose portrait was chosen to embody sacrifice, unity, and independence. ... Read more →

Poland 1919 (ND 1924) — 1 Złoty Issued Note Radar Serial 070070 (Pick 51)

The 1 złoty of 28 February 1919, printed in London by Waterlow & Sons, stands as the inaugural złoty of the reborn Republic of Poland following independence in 1918. It was the lowest denomination of the reform series and among the most widely used, yet it carried enormous symbolic weight: the obverse bears the portrait of Tadeusz Kościuszko, national hero of both Poland and the American Revolution, surrounded by intricate guilloches and the bold legend 'Bank Polski.' Kościuszko’s inclusion underscored the continuity of national identity after more than a century of partitions. This example is further distinguished by its serial number: a radar repeater, 070070 (Series S.26 C), a pattern highly prized by collectors for its symmetry and rarity. ... Read more →

Poland 1919 — 1 Złoty WZÓR „Bez wartości” (Pick 51s)

Specimen of the 1 złoty from the 1919 reform issue, printed by Waterlow & Sons in London and featuring the same Kościuszko portrait as the circulating note. Series S.36 B. This official specimen carries the full set of trial cancellations: diagonal red overprint 'WZÓR.' (with dot) between parallel lines, 'Bez wartości' twice on each side, and two vertical perforations. ... Read more →

Poland 1919 — 1000 Złotych Unissued Note (Pick 59a)

The 1000 złotych of the 1919 reform series, printed by Waterlow & Sons in London, is one of the largest and most ornate denominations prepared for the new złoty. Intended as part of the first złoty issue of the Second Republic, it was never officially released into circulation in 1924 due to its very high value. Some researchers suggest that a portion of the stock may have been used informally during the September Campaign of 1939 to pay Polish military officers, though no formal documentation confirms this. ... Read more →

Poland 1940 — 10 Złotych Printing Remnants Forgery Workshop Underprint (Miłczak 94)

Fascinating semi-finished product from a wartime forgery workshop, connected with the 10 złotych 1940 issue (Miłczak 94). The piece is printed only with the underprint of the obverse design — background guilloches and the female allegorical portrait at left — without the main face value, overprints, or full intaglio elements. Trimmed to the correct banknote format, it represents an intermediate stage in the counterfeiting process. ... Read more →

Poland 1940 — 500 Złotych, Series A with Counterfeit Numbering (Pick 98a)

Original 500 złotych note of 1 March 1940 issued by the Bank Emisyjny w Polsce, Series A, with numbering that falls into the ranges later associated with diversionary forgeries. This note is genuine, but its serial begins within the counterfeit sequences (12xxxxx and 13xxxxx), making it an extremely rare survivor of the group later ordered withdrawn. During the German occupation, large numbers of forged 500 złotych notes were introduced into circulation as part of diversionary sabotage. ... Read more →

Poland 1941 — 1 Złoty, Uncut Sheet of 3 Notes with Serial Numbers (Pick 99b)

Uncut sheet of three 1 Złoty notes printed by the Emission Bank in 1941, Series BE. Each note bears its complete serial number sequence — a rare feature for surviving production materials from the wartime period. Two perforation control holes and a red diagonal cancellation mark across the center indicate withdrawal during the printer’s inspection phase. ... Read more →

Poland 1933 — 25 Złotych Investment Fund Voucher, Series I Bon Funduszu Inwestycyjnego

Investment Fund Voucher for 25 złotych, dated 1 December 1933 and issued by the Ministry of the Treasury of the Second Republic of Poland. Series I, with an especially attractive serial number 38888*. Certified PMG 55 EPQ, confirming original paper quality and freshness. ... Read more →

Poland 1940 — 20 Złotych, Series N WWII London Counterfeit (Pick 95b)

20 złotych dated 1 March 1940, issued under the Bank Emisyjny w Polsce during the German occupation, here from Series N — a rarer subtype known as the 'WWII London Counterfeit' (LC). This variety is recognized by its distinct olive-toned underprint, setting it apart from the more common genuine emissions. PMG has described this piece as a diversionary counterfeit, aligning it with the series of clandestine productions created to destabilize the wartime Polish economy. ... Read more →

Poland 1940 — 500 Złotych Series B Unfinished Print Fragment (Pick 98)

Unfinished print fragment of the 500 złotych issue dated 1 March 1940, produced for the Bank Emisyjny w Polsce under German occupation. Cut from a printer’s sheet, this piece is classed as 'makulatura' (waste print) in printing terminology, representing a rare survival of the production process. The obverse carries only two layers of underprint with a double application of series and serial number, but lacks the steel-engraved main design. ... Read more →