This Cold War Era Polish banknote represents the 2nd denomination of the Communist Series V, The Great Polish People (1974-1993). The Communist Series V was introduced during a period of economic recession. Which progressively worsen until the collapse of the 1991 Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. Poland held a higher level of debt, than most Eastern Bloc nations.
Similar to the post-Soviet Second Uzbek So'm. The Communist Series V was repeatedly amended, with larger denominations introduced as inflation increased. It was replaced by the 4th Złoty, on 1 January 1995. The exchange rate was an impressive 10,000 Old to 1 New Złoty.
Observe
The observe features a portrait of General Romuald Traugutt (1826-1864), commander of the January Uprising (1863). After the failure of the uprising, General Traugutt was hanged, near the Warsaw Citadel. A monument was built commemorate the site, in 1916. Later in 1925 the surrounding area was annexed as Traugutt Park.
The note's header reads (trans.) "Polish Peoples' Republic", the Cold War era name of Poland. The note's value is represented by a large number "20", at the upper-right. While the lower-left, reads (trans.) "20 Twenty Złotych". Above the second reference is the note's watermark area. Which simply makes viewing the full surface "square and circle" watermark.
Toward the lower-right is a Polish Coat of Arms, notably without the crown. Flanking the Coat of Arms are the signatures of the Bank President and Treasurer. According to the text above the signatures, this note was printed in (trans.) "Warsaw 1 July 1982". Below the beforementioned coat of arms and text, are multicolor guilloché backings.
The note features dual serial numbers (AC 3989525), in bright red ink. The first serial number is located on the upper-left, above the watermark area. While the second is at the lower-right, below the coat of arms.
Reverse
The reverse depicts an ornate multi-color design, made of guilloché patterns. The header reads (trans) "National Bank of Poland". The note's value is represented by a large number "20", overprinted by the text (trans.) "Twenty Złotych". Additional number "20"s are located at the lower-left and upper-right. Below the second number "20" is the note's watermark area.
At the note's footer is a notification to the bearer. It reads (trans.), "Notes of the National Bank of Poland are legal means of payment in Poland". There are National Bank of Poland logos located before this statement and on the watermark area.
Communist Series V Galley
(This gallery is incomplete and will be expanded, as new banknotes are databased)
Additional Notes
This note's dimensions are 136 x 62 mm or 5.35 x 2.44 in, smaller than a standard US Dollar.
The preferable method to preserve this note are standard sized protective sleeves.
The Third Złoty ISO code was PLZ, it used zł as its official symbol.
The current Fourth Złoty ISO code is PLN, it retains zł as its official symbol.
The Third Złoty was divided into 100 Grosz, as are all generations of Złoty.
Comments