10 zlotys

The first years of the Second Republic were a period of struggle not only for borders, but also for the establishment of a firm economic foundation for the state. Efforts in this regard could not fail to stabilise monetary policy. Immediately after the end of the First World War, the Polish mark became the binding currency. However, it was intended to serve as a transitional currency. As early as in 1919, it was decided that the Polish zloty would be the future currency of the reborn state. This postulate was not realised until 1924, with Władysław Grabski's economic reform. As far as paper money was concerned, initially banknotes printed as early as in 1919 were put into circulation. Their issue was supplemented in 1924 by an additional series of banknotes in the denominations of 5, 10 and 20 zlotys, with the original graphic design retained. In 1925 and 1926, the third series of banknotes was issued with a changed design. The bust of Tadeusz Kościuszko, which appeared on almost every banknote, was replaced by other allegorical images. The issues of 1925 and 1926 covered denominations of 10, 20 and 50 zlotys. It was supplemented by another series of banknotes of the same denomination and design, bearing the date of 20th July 1929 on the obverse.

The 10 zloty banknote was designed by the eminent Polish painter and graphic artist Zdzisław Eichler, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków and Józef Mehoffer’s disciple. On the obverse he placed female figures symbolising science and art accompanied by animal allegories of wisdom (owl) and purity (unicorn). The reverse also features female images of shipbuilding and agriculture, and a male figure with a hammer, symbolising other branches of the economy. The watermark with the bust of Bolesław Chrobry was placed in the margin. The printing of the banknotes was entrusted to the State Securities Company in Warsaw.

Interestingly, another version of the 10-zloty banknotes, designed by an unknown designer and printed in Switzerland with the date of 2 January 1928, ultimately did not enter into circulation.

Leszek Poniewozik