Polish złoty
The złoty is the official currency and legal tender of Poland. It is subdivided into 100 grosz. The widely recognised English form of the currency is the Polish zloty. It is the most traded currency in Central Europe and ranks 22nd in the foreign exchange market.
The word złoty is a masculine form of the Polish adjective 'golden', which closely relates with its name to the Dutch guilder, whereas the grosz subunit was based on Austrian groschen. It was officially introduced to replace its predecessor, the Polish marka, on 28 February 1919 and began circulation in 1924. The only body permitted to manufacture or mint złoty coins is Mennica Polska, founded in Warsaw on 10 February 1766.
As a result of inflation in the early 1990s, the currency underwent redenomination. Thus, on 1 January 1995, 10,000 old złoty became one new złoty. Since then, the currency has been relatively stable, with an exchange rate fluctuating between 3 and 4 złoty for a United States dollar. Though Poland is a member of the European Union, nearly 60% of Poles are strongly against replacing the złoty with the euro.
Before the złoty
The predecessors of the złoty were the Polish mark and the kopa. The grzywna was a currency that was equivalent to approximately 210 g of silver, in the 11th century. It was in use until sometime in the 14th century, when it gave way to the Kraków grzywna. At the same time, first as a complement to the grzywna, and then as the main currency, came the grosz and the kopa. Poland made the grosz as an imitation of the Prague groschen; the idea of the kopa came from the Czechs as well. A grzywna was worth 48 grosz; a kopa cost 60 grosz.First złoty
Kingdom of Poland and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
The złoty is a traditional Polish currency unit dating back to the late Middle Ages. Initially, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the name was used for all kinds of foreign gold coins used in Poland, most notably Venetian and Hungarian ducats,. One złoty at the very beginning of their introduction cost 12–14 grosz; however, grosz had less and less silver as time passed. In 1496 the Sejm approved the creation of a national currency, the złoty, and its value was set at 30 grosz, a coin minted since 1347 and modelled on the Prague groschen, and a ducat, whose value was złoty. The 1:30 proportion stayed, but the grosz became cheaper and cheaper, because the proportion of silver in the coin alloy diminished over time. In the beginning of the 16th century, 1 złoty was worth 32 grosz; by the middle of the same century it was 50 grosz; by the reign of Sigismund III Vasa 1 złoty was worth 90 grosz while a ducat was worth 180 grosz.The name złoty was used for a number of different coins, including the 30-grosz coin called the polski złoty, the czerwony złoty and the złoty reński, which were in circulation at the time. However, the value of the Polish złoty dropped over time relative to these foreign coins, and it became a silver coin, with the foreign ducats eventually circulating at approximately 5 złoty.
The matters were complicated by the extremely intricate system of coins, with denominations as low as grosz and as high as 12,960 grosz fit into one coin. There were no usual decimal denominations we use today: the system used 4, 6, 8, 9 and 18 grosz, which are now most uncommon. Moreover, there was no central mint, and, apart from Warsaw mint, there were the Gdańsk, Elbląg and Kurland separate mints which did not produce the same denomination coins with the same materials. For example, the szeląg had 1.3g of copper while minted in either Kraków or Warsaw, but the local Gdańsk and Elbląg mints made it using only 0.63g of copper. This facilitated forgeries and wrought havoc in the Polish monetary system.
Following the monetary reform carried out by King Stanisław II Augustus which aimed to simplify the system, the złoty became Poland's official currency and the exchange rate of 1 złoty to 30 copper grosz was confirmed. The king established the system which was based on the Cologne mark. Each mark was divided into 10 Conventionsthaler of the Holy Roman Empire, and 1 thaler was worth 8 złoty. The system was in place until 1787. Two devaluations of the currency occurred in the years before the final partition of Poland.
After the third partition of Poland, the name złoty existed only in Austrian and Russian lands. Prussia had introduced the mark instead.
| Name | Value | Introduced by | Minted in | Material | Weight | Photos or graphics | Notes |
| denar | – grosza | Bolesław I the Brave | 11th century – 1653 | After 1527: copper | 0.33 g ; 0.53 g | Smallest coin in use | |
| ternar | grosza | Władysław II Jagiełło | 14th century – 1407 ; 1526–1529; 1545–1548; 1623 | 1526 coins: silver alloy; 1623 coins: silver alloy; | 0.57 g | ||
| szeląg | grosza | Stefan Batory | 1579–1627; 1659–1666; 1749–1792 | Silver alloy ; copper from 1658 | 1.13 g ; 1.3 g 0.62 g | The John Casimir szeląg is also called boratynka | |
| półgrosz | grosza | Władysław II Jagiełło | 1398 – early 17th century; 1766–1795 | In 1393–1414 : silver alloy ; then 43.7%. In Kraków: either heavier with 50% silver or lighter with 37.5% silver. From 1766 copper. | Kraków: 1.58 g or 0.96 g ; Stanisław II Augustus: 1.95 g | ||
| grosz srebrny | 1 grosz srebrny = groszy miednych | Stanisław II Augustus | 1764–1795 | 36.7% silver alloy | 1.99 g | ? | |
| grosz | 1 grosz | Casimir III the Great | 1367–1849; 1918–present | Casimir III Great: brass coins; later copper | 1.3 or 3.4 grams; 3.89 g | , 1626 |151x151px | The base of the currency |
| półtorak | grosza | Sigismund III Vasa | 1614-1660; in the John II Casimir Vasa and Augustus III reigns | Silver alloy | 1.09 g | Created as an intermediate between grosz and trojak | |
| dwojak | 2 grosze | Sigismund II Augustus | Around the 1520s; sporadically later; more minted at John II Casimir Vasa's reign; 1766–1784; 1923–1939; 1954– | Sigismund I the Old: silver Sigismund II Augustus: silver Stanisław II: 58.7% silver alloy | 1.8 g ca. 3.5 g ; 3.4 g | ||
| trojak | 3 grosze | Sigismund I the Old | 1528–1849 | Silver, most copper from Stanisław II Augustus' reign; some Gdańsk coins are copper | 2.16 g 1.53 g; 11.69 g 1.52 g | Also called "dutka", "babka", "dydek" in Lithuania | |
| czworak | 4 grosze | Sigismund II Augustus | 1565–1568; 1614; 1766–1795 | Silver; 55% silver alloy | 4.29 g; 5.51 g | ||
| szóstak | 6 groszy | Sigismund I the Old | 1528–1795 | Silver | 2.34 g 2.94 g; 3.7 g 4.32 g; in 1794–1795 1.52 g | ||
| 2 złote | 8 groszy | Augustus III | 1753-1795 | 62.67% silver alloy | 9.35 g 7.31 g | ||
| półurcie | 9 groszy | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 10 copper Kingdom groszy | 10 groszy | Stanisław II Augustus | 1787-95 | 37.3% silver alloy | 2.49 g, then 4.48 g | ||
| ort | 18 groszy | Sigismund III Vasa | 1608–1766 | Silver | Augustus III reign: 5.84 g 6.1 g or 7.7 g | mint, 1618 | Coins of 1618 were minted by Stanisław Berman |
| półkopek | 30 groszy; Stanisław II Augustus' złoty - 4 grosze | Sigismund II Augustus | 1564–1841 | Silver alloy | 6.726 g 5.84 g or 6.1 g tymf; złotówka gdańska'': 9.85 g | From 1663 on also called tymf | |
| kopa | 60 groszy = 2 złote | ? | ? | Silver | ? | ||
| półtalar | 15–120 groszy | Sigismund II Augustus | 1567–1794 | Silver | ca. 12.5 g; 14.62 g; 14.03 g, later 13.07 g | ||
| of talar | only commemorative | Augustus III | 1738; 1747 | Silver | |||
| talar | 30–240 groszy | Sigismund I the Old | 1533; 1580–1795 | Silver; 83.3% silver alloy | ca. 24.3–29.3 g | ||
| 2 talars | 480 groszy | Augustus III | 1740 | Silver | 58 g | ||
| dukat | 45–1,080 groszy | Władysław Łokietek | Early 14th century–1831 | Gold; 98.6% gold alloy | 3.46-3.5 g in the second half of the 18th century | was issued in the 1320s. ; Latin: "Poloniæ et Suegiæ rex" | - |
| 2 ducats | Augustus III | 1753-4 | Gold | 7 g | - | ||
| 6 ducats | Augustus III | 1742 | Gold | 21 g | - | ||
| portugał | 10 ducats | Sigismund II Augustus | 1562–1652 | Gold | 35 g | portugał of Stefan Batory | - |
| 12 ducats | Augustus III | 1740 | Gold | 29.17 g | - | ||
| półaugustdor | talars = 600 groszy ; 1,450 groszy | Augustus III of Poland | 1752–1756 | Gold | 3.32 g | - | |
| augustdor | 5 talars = 1,200 groszy ; 2,900 groszy | Augustus III of Poland | 1752–1756 | Gold | 3.32 g | - | |
| double augustdor | 10 talars = 2400 talars ; 5800 groszy | Augustus III of Poland | 1752–1756 | Gold | 13.3 g | - | |
| semi-stanislasdor | 27 złotych | Stanisław II Augustus | 1794–1795 | Gold | 6.17 g | - | |
| stanislasdor | 54 złotych | Stanisław II Augustus | 1794–1795 | Gold | 12.35 g | - |
1794–1807
On 8 June 1794 the decision of the Polish Supreme Council offered to make the new banknotes as well as the coins. 13 August 1794 was the date when the złoty banknotes were released to public. At the day there was more than 6.65 million złoty given out by the rebels. There were banknotes with the denomination of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 złoty, as well as 5 and 10 grosz, and 1 and 4 złoty coinsHowever, it did not last for long: on 8 November, Warsaw was already held by Russia. Russians discarded all the banknotes and declared them invalid. Russian coins and banknotes replaced the Kościuszko banknotes, but the division on złoty and grosz stayed. This can be explained by the fact the Polish monetary system, even in the deep crisis, was better than the Russian stable one, as Poland used the silver standard for coins. That is why Mikhail Speransky offered to come to silver monometalism in his work План финансов in Russia. He argued that: "... at the same time... forbid any other account in Livonia and Poland, and this is the only way to unify the financial system of these provinces in the Russian system, and as well they will stop, at least, the damage that pulls back our finances for so long."
Duchy of Warsaw
The złoty remained in circulation after the Partitions of Poland and the Duchy of Warsaw issued coins denominated in grosz, złoty and talar, worth 6 złoty. Talar banknotes were also issued. In 1813, while Zamość was under siege, Zamość authorities issued 6 grosz and 2 złoty coins.Congress Poland
On 19 November O.S. 1815, the law regarding the monetary system of Congress Poland was passed, according to which the złoty stayed, but there was a fixed ratio of the ruble to the złoty: 1 złoty was worth 30 silver grosz, while 1 grosz was worth silver kopeck. From 1816, the złoty started being issued by the Warsaw mint, denominated in grosz and złoty in the Polish language, as well as the portrait of Alexander I and/or the Russian Empire's coat of arms:- 1 and 3 grosz made from copper;;
- 5 and 10 grosz out of billon;;
- 1, 2, 5 and 10 złoty out of silver;;
- 25 and 50 złoty out of gold.
In 1828 the Polish mint was allowed to print banknotes of denominations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 złoty, on the condition of their guaranteed exchange for coins at the will of Saint Petersburg. That meant that there should have been silver coins that had the value of of banknotes in circulation.
November Uprising
At the time of the November Uprising, the rebels released their own "rebellion money" – golden ducats and silver coins in the denomination of 2 and 5 złoty, with the revolutionary coat of arms, and the copper 3 and 10 grosz. The 1-złoty coin was as well released as a trial coin. The Polish bank, under the control of the rebels, having few precious metal resources in the reserves, released the 1 złoty banknote. They released the 5, 50 and 100 zł banknotes as well, all yellow. By August 1831 735 thousand złoty were released as banknotes. After the defeat of the uprising the decisions from 21 November and 18 December cancelled all the uprising monetary politics. All the coins were to be replaced by Russian coins, but it took a long time till the currency was circulating – only in 1838 was the usage of rebel money banned.The last years of the first złoty of Congress Poland
At the same time the question arose about the future of the Polish złoty, as well as drastically limiting Polish banking autonomy. Russian finance minister Georg von Cancrin suggested to "value everything in rubles, not florins ".There was a problem, however. The monetary system in the Russian Empire was still severely unbalanced. Banknotes, for example, cost much less to produce than their denomination. For that reason, the decision was taken to show both currencies on coins, which was a rather mild punishment for the November Uprising. From 1832 on the Petersburg and Warsaw mints decided to start minting new double-denominated coins. The exchange rate was 1 złoty to 15 kopecks.
| Images | Denomination zł/gr | Denomination ruble/kopeck | Material | Years of minting in Petersburg mint | Years of minting in Warsaw mint |
| 10 groszy | 5 kopecks | silver | 1842 | ||
| 20 groszy | 10 kopecks | silver | 1842 | ||
| 40 groszy | 20 kopecks | silver | — | 1842–48; 1850 | |
| 50 groszy | 25 kopecks | silver | — | 1842–48; 1850 | |
| 1 złoty | 15 kopecks | silver | 1832-41 | 1834–41 | |
| 2 złote | 30 kopecks | silver | — | 1834–41 | |
| 5 złotych | rubles | silver | 1833–41 | 1834–41 | |
| 10 złotych | ruble | silver | 1833–41 | 1835–41 | |
| 20 złotych | 3 rubles | gold | 1834–41 | 1835–40 |
In 1841 the main currency of Congress Poland became the Russian ruble.
From 1842, the Warsaw mint already issued regular-type Russian coins along with some coins denominated in both grosz and kopecks. At that time the złoty-to-ruble ratio changed again: 1 ruble was now worth only 2 złoty.
The Warsaw mint still issued three coin types: double currency coins, złoty and grosz, and the Russian Empire standard coins till 1865. From 1865 the Warsaw mint stopped making coins, and on 1 January 1868 the Warsaw mint was abolished.
The banknotes were changed much faster, as no Polish banknote was in circulation. The Polish Bank started issuing Russian banknotes, denominated only in rubles and valid only in Congress Poland. At the same time the national credit banknotes, made in St. Petersburg, could be used everywhere in the Empire as usual Russian banknotes, as well in Poland.
The Free City of Kraków złoty
Between 1835 and 1846, the Free City of Kraków also used a currency, the Kraków złoty, with the coins actually being made in Vienna. There were 5 and 10 grosz coins and 1 złoty coins. They were all the same: the obverse had the coat of arms and the writing: WOLNE MIASTO KRAKÓW, the reverse had the nominal and the year of production.Poland without the złoty
From 1850, the only currency issued for use in Congress Poland was the ruble consisting of Russian currency and notes of the Bank Polski. The monetary system of Congress Poland was unified with that of the Russian Empire following the failed January Uprising in 1863. However, the gold coins remained in use until the early 20th century, much like other gold coins of the era, most notably gold rubles and sovereigns. Following the occupation of Congress Poland by Germany during World War I in 1917, the ruble was replaced by the marka, a currency initially equivalent to the German Papiermark.Polish currency in 1918–24
New Poland started releasing new currency – Polish marks, after the defeat of the German Empire and Austro-Hungary. The first banknotes had either Tadeusz Kościuszko or Queen Jadwiga. 1 and 20 marks also circulated, but they showed nobody on the banknotes.The Polish marka was extremely unstable because of the constant wars with its neighbours. Attempts to reduce the expenditures of Polish budget were vain – all the money gained went to conduct war with the USSR. To complicate the matters, those attempts did not please the elite, which ruled the country. The government's actions were not popular at all, so the taxes did not rise significantly, in order to avoid popular resentment. Even worse, the territories that made up Poland were rightly coined "the country of three parts", as each part of Poland developed differently during the 123 years after Stanisław II Augustus' abdication, with post-Prussian territories the best developed, and Austrian Galicia and Russian Kresy the worst.
The last attempt to save the Polish marka was made in 1921, when Jerzy Michalski made out his own plan to raise taxes and reduce expenditure. The Sejm accepted it, albeit with many amendments. Realisation of that plan did not succeed, and it had only short-term influence.
This disrupted the whole economy of Poland, and galloping inflation began. The marek and 5,000 marek banknotes became worthless in two years. As hyperinflation progressed, Poland came to print 1, 5 and 10 million mark banknotes. However, they were quickly almost valueless. 10 million marks cost only US$1.073 in January 1924. Immediate action was needed. Władysław Grabski was invited to stop the pending hyperinflation. As a result, the second Polish złoty was created.
Second złoty
Grabski monetary reform
The złoty was reintroduced as Poland's currency by Grabski in 1924, following the hyperinflation and monetary chaos of the years following World War I. It replaced the marka at a rate of 1 złoty = 1,800,000 marek and was subdivided into 100 grosz, instead of 30 grosz, as it had been earlier. 1 złoty was worth 0.2903 grams of gold, and 1 US dollar cost 5.18 złoty. New coins had to be introduced, but were not immediately minted or in circulation. The temporary solution of the problem was ingenious. 500,000 marek banknote were cut in two, and on each side there were overstamps that showed they were 1 grosz "coins". Similarly 10,000,000 marek notes were divided and overprinted to make two "coins" each worth 5 grosz. This was an emergency measure to provide the population with a form of the new currency.Transition to złoty
When the second złoty was created, it was pegged to the US dollar. The Sejm was weak in its financial control. Yet political parties demanded the government spend more money than had been projected in the budget.The budget deficit ballooned and out-of-control inflation ensued. The government struggled to cut expenditures, and as a result often came into conflict with the Sejm. However, the government could not allow hyperinflation to reoccur. To achieve that, the government authorised issue of securities, which went along with the temporary "bilety zdawkowe" coins and złoty banknotes printed in 1919.
By the end of 1925 the Polish government was unable to redeem the released securities. The Polish economy was on the brink of collapse.
Despite the crisis, Grabski refused to accept foreign help, because he was concerned Poland would become dependent on the League of Nations. The Polish PM thought that after the złoty stabilised, foreign financiers would be persuaded to give credits and make investments on more favourable conditions than were recently on offer. However, deep-rooted lack of confidence in the Polish economy had made these expectations unrealisable. Grabski's government was forced to sell some of the country's property on unfavourable conditions, without any significant effects. Eventually, the złoty depreciated some 50% from its 1923 value and Grabski resigned as Prime Minister. However, renewed hyperinflation was averted.
| Pictures | Denomination | Diameter | Thickness | Mass | Composition | Obverse | Reverse | Introduced | Issued | Withdrawn |
| 1 grosz | 14.7 | 1.01 | 1.5 | bronze | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a simple plant ornament | 1923 | 1923; 1925 1927 1928 1930-1939 | 1939 | |
| 2 grosze | 17.6 | 0.96 | 2 | brass | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a simple plant ornament | 1923 | 1923 | 1939 | |
| 2 grosze | 17.6 | 0.98 | 2 | bronze | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a simple plant ornament | 1923 | 1925 1927 1928 1930-1939 | 1939 | |
| 5 groszy | 20 | 1.12 | 3 | brass | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a simple plant ornament | 1923 | 1923 | 1939 | |
| 5 groszy | 20 | 1.14 | 3 | bronze | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a simple plant ornament | 1923 | 1925 1928 1930 1931 1934-1939 | 1939 | |
| 10 groszy | 17.6 | 0.92 | 2 | nickel | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a complicated bush ornament | 1923 | 1923 | 1939 | |
| 20 groszy | 20 | 1.07 | 3 | nickel | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a complicated bush ornament | 1923 | 1923 | 1939 | |
| 50 groszy | 23 | 1.35 | 5 | nickel | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with a complicated bush ornament | 1923 | 1923 | 1939 | |
| 1 złoty | 25 | 1.6 | 7 | nickel | Polish coat of arms' eagle, inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | denomination with an ornament | 1929 | 1929 | 1939 |
Poland's economy weakened further to the point it was evident that the system could no longer function. The crisis climaxed in November 1925 leading to the Sanacja coup d'état.
Piłsudski's reforms
In May 1926 a coup d'état was effected. It resulted in Józef Piłsudski becoming the authoritarian leader of Poland. Almost immediately the budget was stabilised. Tax incomes rose significantly, credits were received from the USA, and the Bank of Poland's policy came more strongly under the government's control. These developments prevented the Polish economy's further deterioration.As had happened earlier in the case of both Austria and Hungary, a special monitoring commission arrived in Poland to analyse the economic situation. The commission was headed by Edwin W. Kemmerer, an American economist and "money doctor".
The złoty started to stabilise in 1926, and was re-set on the dollar-złoty rate 50% higher than in 1924. Up to 1933 złoty was freely exchanged into gold and foreign currencies. Based on these developments, the government made the decision to adopt the gold standard for its currency.
In 1924–1925 the banks experienced large capital outflows, but by 1926 people were investing actively in the banks. The economic progress built on increased demand for and exports of coal slowed down because of an over-valued złoty during 1927. As a result, imports became relatively cheaper as compared to exports, resulting in a negative Balance of Trade. Again, Poland plunged into crisis. Economic growth was weak from 1926 to 1929. The main reason for that was the decline of industry, which was influenced by declining demand for Polish items. The crisis deepened with the Great Crisis of 1929–1932 and lasted until the mid-30s.
Polish złoty in 1930s
Poland entered another economic crisis, causing the government again to attempt reduction of its budget deficit by cutting public expenditure other than for military purposes. Despite cutting spending by a third, the deficit persisted. Tax income that should have been used to lead the country out of crisis was instead financing the debt burden. Money required to stimulate the economy was devoted by the government to creditors and foreign banks. Further spending cuts necessitated Poland importing less and exporting more. Import tariffs were increased again for foreign products, while subsidies were given to exporters.In 1935 Piłsudski died, and the power passed to the generals. They were very disturbed by the crisis. Poland was still an agrarian country with 61% of the population involved in 1931. To reform the economy, the government was thinking about further intervention. As a result, between 1935 and 1939, Poland nationalised its major industries, initiating the changes the communists completed after 1945. Volumes of produced goods output from state-owned factories exceeded expectations. The result was instant - the economy stabilised, and fears of further złoty devaluation reduced while rapid growth was seen. However, World War II abruptly terminated all prosperity. With the Soviet invasion from the east the government had to flee the country. Already in emigration, the government released new banknotes of the denomination of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 złoty which were dated by 15 or 20 August 1939 and were mostly cyan, blue or blue-green. These were printed in the USA but never released.
Cities on top mean that some number of coins was minted in a specific city. Mass in grams, diameter in mm. 1 - From Latin: "Long live the rule of Republic". 2 - a) Coins from 1928Most of coins from 1932 were withdrawn and melted.
| Denomi-nation | Date of release | Metal | Mass | Diameter | In circulation | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Paris | London | Warsaw | Birming-ham | Phila-delfia | Obverse picture | Reverse picture |
| 1 złoty | 1924-5 | Silver | 5 | 23 | 1924-1939 | rifled | A portrait of a woman with bunches of cereal. | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 16 mln | 24 mln | |||||
| 2 złote | 1924-5 | Silver | 10 | 27 | 1924-1939 | rifled | A portrait of a woman with bunches of cereal. | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 8.2 mln | 1.2 mln | 8 mln ; 5.2 mln | ||||
| 2 złote | 1932-4 | Silver | 4,4 | 22 | 1932-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Polonia - a woman signifying Poland. Often mistaken for "a woman in a wreath", "Queen Jadwiga" or "Wanda" | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 25.2 mln | ||||||
| 2 złote | 1934 1936 | Silver | 4,4 | 22 | 1932-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Józef Piłsudski. | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 10.5 mln | ||||||
| 2 złote | 1936 | Silver | 4,4 | 22 | 1936-1939 | rifled | A picture of "Dar Pomorza" yacht, to commemorate 15 years of Gdynia port foundation. | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 3,918,000 | ||||||
| 5 złotych2 | 1928, 1930-2 | Silver | 18 | 33 | 1928-1939 | SALUS REIPUBLICAE SUPREMA LEX1 | From Nika series. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 28.7 mln | ||||||
| 5 złotych | 1930 | Silver | 18 | 33 | 1928-1939 | SALUS REIPUBLICAE SUPREMA LEX1 | Consacred to the 1830 November Uprising. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 1,000,200 | ||||||
| 5 złotych | 1928, 1930-2 | Silver | 11 | 28 | 1932-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Polonia - a woman signifying Poland. Often mistaken for "a woman in a wreath", "Queen Jadwiga" or "Wanda" | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 3 mln | 12,250,000 | |||||
| 5 złotych | 1934 | Silver | 11 | 28 | 1934-39 | rifled | Portrait of Józef Piłsudski | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; "orzeł strzelecki"; year of minting | 300,000 | ||||||
| 5 złotych | 1934-6, 1938 | Silver | 11 | 28 | 1934-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Józef Piłsudski. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 9,599,400 | ||||||
| 5 złotych | 1936 | Silver | 11 | 28 | 1936-1939 | rifled | A picture of "Dar Pomorza" yacht, to commemorate 15 years of Gdynia port foundation. | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 1 mln | ||||||
| 5 złotych | 1925 | See right | 21.1 | 37 | 1925-1939 | rifled | Two sitting men, holding a Book | Polish Coat of Arms, inscriptions: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting | 100 in pinchbeck, 60 in brass, 2 in gold, 100 in 10% silver alloy | ||||||
| 10 złotych | 1925 | Gold | 3,23 | 19 | 1925-39 | rifled | Portrait of Bolesław I the Brave. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 50,350 | ||||||
| 10 złotych | 1933 | Silver | 22 | 34 | 1933-39 | rifled | Portrait of Romuald Traugutt | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 200,000 | ||||||
| 10 złotych | 1932-3 | Silver | 22 | 34 | 1932-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Polonia - a woman signifying Poland. Often mistaken for "woman in a wreath", "Queen Jadwiga" or "Wanda" | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 6 mln | 5.9 mln | |||||
| 10 złotych | 1933 | Silver | 22 | 34 | 1933-1939 | rifled | Portrait of John III Sobieski. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 300,000 | ||||||
| 10 złotych | 1934 | Silver | 22 | 34 | 1934-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Józef Piłsudski. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; "orzeł strzelecki"; year of minting | 300,000 | ||||||
| 10 złotych | 1934-9 | Silver | 22 | 34 | 1934-1939 | rifled | Portrait of Józef Piłsudski. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 17,142,000 | ||||||
| 10 złotych | 1934 | Silver; exist in iron and pinchbeck | 22 | 34 | 1934-1939 | rifled | Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska, year of minting; | 100 in each metal | |||||||
| 10 złotych | 1925 | Bronze or silver | 20,5 | 3,4 4,2 | 1925-39 | rifled | Two heads of women | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 100 in bronze, 50 in silver | ||||||
| 20 złotych | 1925 | Gold; exist in copper and nickel | 6,451 | 21 | 1925-39 | rifled | Portrait of Bolesław I the Brave. | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | |||||||
| 20 złotych | 1925 | Bronze; silver | 6.5 5.6 | 21 | 1925-1939 | ? | "RP" design | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting, denomination | 100 bronze; 50 aluminium | ||||||
| 20 złotych | 1925 | Bronze, copper or silver; gold | 4.5 5.85 4.32 | 21 | 1925-1939 | ? | Portrait of Polonia - a woman signifying Poland. Often mistaken for "woman in a wreath", "Queen Jadwiga" or "Wanda" | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 105 12 10 5 | ||||||
| 50 złotych | 1925 | Copper | 10,9 | 25 | 1925-39 | ? | A kneeling knight | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting | 105 | ||||||
| 100 złotych | 1925 | Bronze or silver | Bronze: 3.5; Silver: 4.15 | 25 | 1925-39 | ? | Nicolaus Copernicus; denomination | Denomination, Polish Coat of Arms, inscription: Rzeczpospolita Polska; year of minting |
General Government
When German invaders established the General Government, they withdrew the 100 złoty banknotes from 1932 and 1934 and 500 złoty banknotes from 1919. The banknotes had to be accounted on the deposits of the people who gave them to the bank. at the beginning of the Nazi occupation The 100 złoty banknotes were overstamped in red with: "Generalgouvernement / für die besetzen polnischen Gebiete". It was massively counterfeited.A little later the bank division of the Główny Zarząd Kas Kredytowych Rzeszy Niemieckiej was organized. It started to print the Reichsmarks, but later, on 15 December 1939, a decision came to create the new Bank Emisyjny in Kraków, as the Bank Polski officials fled to Paris. It started working on 8 April 1940.
In May 1940, old banknotes of 1924–1939 were overstamped by the new entity. Money exchange was limited per individual; the limits varied according to the status of the person. The fixed exchange rate 1 Reichsmark = 2 złoty was established. A new issue of notes appeared in 1940–1941. The General Government also issued coins, using similar designs to earlier types but with cheaper metals. 1, 5, 10 and 20 grosz coins were dated 1923 and 50 grosz were dated 1938.
Banknotes were also issued, called unofficially "młynarki" or "krakowiaki", in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 złoty. 1000 złoty did not come into public circulation at all, and only reconstructions survive. The total amount of them was approximately 10,183 million złoty. An additional 20 million were manufactured by the conspiratory typography of the Union of Armed Struggle. From summer 1943 the Home Army received the złoty produced in Great Britain.
Communist Poland (1945-1950)
The advance of the Red Army meant the transition to communism, Poland being no exception.The first monetary reform of post-war Poland was conducted in 1944, when the initial series of banknotes of socialist Poland was released. This was essential for the recreation of the country, so the Polish Committee of National Liberation signed an act on 24 August 1944 introducing the banknotes. The older General Government banknotes were exchanged at par with the new ones. There were limits, however – 500 złoty only for an individual and 2000 złoty for the private enterprises and small manufacturers. The rest came onto the blocked bank accounts.
The banknotes had a very simple design, with no people or buildings featured. They carried the name of the as yet unformed Narodowy Bank Polski. Printing was completed at the Goznak mint in Moscow. All the new banknotes of the series I had a faulty inscription, containing a russianism.
On 15 January 1945 the National Bank of Poland was finally created. Its first monetary action was the printing of 1000 złoty banknote in the newly built Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych in Łódź. The first Communist series' banknotes were easy to counterfeit, so additional replacement banknotes were printed in 1946–1948. As 500 złoty banknote was very easy to counterfeit, it was fully withdrawn in 1946.
The new series were created from the graphic designs of Ryszard Kleczewski and Wacław Borowski.
The IV series banknotes had a longer life. Mainly due to their underdeveloped security features, the first three series were taken out of circulation in line with legislation signed on 28 October 1950, covering the introduction of the new Polish złoty. Older banknotes had to be exchanged within 8 days for the new series IV, which had been designed, printed and distributed in great secrecy.
About in the same time, new coins were introduced, which circulated for more than four decades.
Third złoty
In 1950, a new złoty was introduced, replacing all notes issued up to 1948 at a rate of one hundred to one, while all bank assets were re-denominated in the ratio 100:3. The new banknotes were dated in 1948, while the new coins were dated in 1949. Initially, by law with effect from 1950 1 złoty was made equal to 0.222168g of pure gold.As in all the Warsaw Bloc countries, Poland started nationalizing major industrial and manufacturing businesses. The necessary legislative act was signed in 1946. However, smaller enterprises remained in private hands, in contrast to the USSR. Despite this concession, the whole economy was under firm state control. In the agricultural sector, farmers received additional lands from the government. These properties were the result of confiscations from the church, wealthy families as well from farmers who were targeted as counter revolutionaries to Soviet Communist rule.
In the late 1940s, Polish currency became unstable. This was largely due to initial opposition to the new Soviet imposed government and made an already difficult economic situation worse. Eventually things changed and the złoty became stronger in 1948–1949.
Beginning in 1950, the Soviet controlled government started implementing communist collectivization policy on a mass scale. Some farmers were grouped into newly created PGRs. Others supplied produce to the State for distribution and had to comply with obligatory centralized food deliveries. Unable to compete with advantaged collective farms, privately owned and individually-run farms went bankrupt. The State bought at extremely low prices designed to impoverish private farms.
Agriculture might have been ruined in a few years if not for the death of President and latterly Secretary General of the Central Committee of the PUWP Bolesław Bierut under mysterious circumstances in 1956. The new government under Władysław Gomułka began relaxing the earlier years' hardline Stalinist policies. State Farms were reformed, enforced obligatory deliveries were reduced and State buying prices were raised. On the whole the structure was little different from that of 1949: industry was state-owned, while agricultural production was State directed but mostly in private hands.
Serious reforms were proposed in the early 1970s by Edward Gierek, which aimed to improve the situation for ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, the government had inadequate funds to initiate these reforms. This explains Poland's growing financial indebtedness to the USSR and other Warsaw Bloc countries, promoting the view that "the investments will upgrade the Poland's potential, which will be aimed at export, so that the country will pay the interest and at the same time maintain a high industrial production". In fact, although the intention was to create employment, it never happened. Poland's debt burden grew too large, forming the main cause of further financial crisis. After a period of prosperity in 1971–1978, Poland entered into a very deep recession, which worsened over time as Poland was unable to meet debt interest obligations. The crisis was to last until 1994. The first indications of the crisis was obvious by the mid-70s, when there began a period of rampant inflation. Złoty devaluation continued. In 1980 Gierek's government was accused of corruption. He was removed from power in 1980.
Financial crisis of 1980s
The first big strikes started in Gdańsk and GOP. These restricted industrial production which by then had become the main economic sector. The Communist government's inability to organize production to balance supply and demand resulted in shortages as well as wasteful surpluses. Debt and currency issuance was used to attempt to smooth over the swings and caused inflation and wild moves in interest rates and borrowing conditions. These chaotic market conditions caused by reactionary policies of Communist controls and mandates led to widespead food shortages and government imposed food rationing. martial law of 1981–83 was then imposed to attempt to oppress the public's outrage and desire for reform.By the early 80s inflation in Poland crossed into outright currency collapse – inflation estimated to be over 100% per annum in 1982, which is equivalent to a halving of the value of the currency over 1 year. It was reduced in the mid-80s to about 15% per annum, but was restarted again in late-80s.
Poor economic productivity and a huge public debt burden did not create any salary and pension increases. By 1981 it was admitted that the situation was beyond management. In an effort to escape such situation, Poland started massively printing banknotes, without backing from increased economic output. Thus, deliberately attempting hyper inflation throughout the 80s to resolve the economic stagnation. Banknotes denominated at 5,000 złoty were introduced in 1982, 10,000 złoty in 1988, 20,000 and 50,000 złoty in 1989, and 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 złoty in 1990. Grosz coins were rendered worthless and coins were mostly made out of aluminum. The public debt burden doubled over the course of the 80s.
Given the circumstances, the only solution appeared to be the liberalization of the economy. In 1988 Mieczysław Rakowski was forced to accept the possibility of transition of the state enterprises into private hands. In fact, as stated earlier, smaller enterprises were private, and 18% of GDP was made by private sector, additional 10% – by the cooperatives. These were not, however, the Soviet Perestroika cooperatives, but ones with limited experience in the market economy. These were ready to transfer to a market economy. The Communist authorities had to admit they had failed to manage the economy productively, which was another reason to introduce changes.
Leszek Balcerowicz was behind the idea of shifting the economic basis from state-based to free-trade. To achieve this, the following were introduced:
- Liberalisation of prices. This allowed prices to seek market value, revealing the very high inflation of the currency supply throughout the 80s ;
- The state gave free access to all areas of economic enterprise ;
- Fresh budget cuts on the state-owned enterprises and lowering the tempo of inflation by printing less currency and lower public borrowing
- New financing and credit policies as well as the attraction of direct foreign investments from the west;
- Measures to increase the convertibility of the national currency in all operations;
- Liquidation of foreign trade controls.
Polish złoty coins (PLZ)
Diameter shown in mm, mass in grams. 1 - Minted both in Budapest and Warsaw in numbers of 300,100,600 coins.| Pictures | Denomination | Ø | Mass | Metal | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Issued in Budapest | Issued in Warsaw | Issued in Basel | Issued in Kremnica | Issued in Leningrad | Introduced | Issued | Withdrawn | With inscription "... Ludowa"? |
| 1 grosz | 14.7 | 0.5 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, leaf ornament | 400,000,000 | 116,000 | 1954 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | ||||
| 2 grosze1 | 16 | 0.57 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, leaf ornament | 1954 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | ||||||
| 5 groszy | 20 | 3 | bronze | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, leaf ornament | 300,000,000 | 1950 | 1949 | 1956 | No | |||||
| 5 groszy | 20 | 1 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, leaf ornament | 200,000,000 | 1960 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 5 groszy | 16 | 0.6 | aluminium | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, leaf ornament | 310,364,378 | 1958 | 1958-63; 1965; 1967–1968; 1970–1972 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 groszy | 17.6 | 2 | cupronickel | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 200,000,000 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 10 groszy | 17.6 | 0,7 | aluminium | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 31,046,685 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 10 groszy | 17.6 | 0,7 | aluminium | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 1,179,713,719 | 100,000,000 | 1961 | 1961-3; 1965–1981; 1983; 1985 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 20 groszy | 20 | 3 | cupronickel | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 133,383,000 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 20 groszy | 20 | 1 | aluminium | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 197,491,750 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 20 groszy | 20 | 1 | aluminium | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 879,964,867 | 50,000,000 | 1957 | 1957; 1961–1963; 1965–1973; 1975–1978; 1980–1981; 1983; 1985 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 50 groszy | 23 | 5 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 109,000,000 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 50 groszy | 23 | 1.6 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 59,392,950 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 50 groszy | 23 | 1.6 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 376,793,589 | 66,800,000 | 1957 | 1957; 1965; 1967–1968; 1970–1978; 1982–1985 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 50 groszy | 23 | 1.6 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 49,052,000 | 1986 | 1986-7 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 1 złoty | 25 | 7 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 87,053,000 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 1 złoty | 25 | 2.12 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 43,000,000 | 1950 | 1949 | 1 January 1995 | No | |||||
| 1 złoty | 25 | 2.12 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 1,110,555,639 | 60,000,106 | 1957 | 1957, 1965–1978, 1980–1988 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 1 złoty | 16 | 0.57 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 1989 | 1989-90 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||||
| 2 złote | 27 | 2.7 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch and cereal ornament | 189,955,432 | 1958 | 1958-60; 1970–1974 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 2 złote | 21 | 3 | brass | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch and cereal ornament | 633,950,957 | 137,600,000 | 1975 | 1975-1988 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 2 złote | 18 | 0.7 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch and cereal ornament | 132,217,000 | 1989 | 1989-90 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 5 złotych | 29 | 3.45 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, fisher | 126,439,614 | 1958 | 1958-60; 1971; 1973–1974 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 5 złotych | 24 | 5 | brass | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination | 315,831,723 | 135,000,000 | 1975 | 1975-88 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 5 złotych | 20 | 0.88 | aluminium | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination | 68,501,000 | 1989 | 1989-90 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 złotych | 31 | 12.9 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination; Nicolaus Copernicus | 15,558,855 | 1959 | 1959; 1965 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination; Nicolaus Copernicus | 20,129,000 | 1967 | 1967-9 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| Analogical to the one lower | 10 złotych | 31 | 12.9 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination; Tadeusz Kościuszko | 44,808,153 | 1959 | 1959-60; 1966 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination; Tadeusz Kościuszko | 45,111,000 | 1969 | 1969-73 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 złotych | 25 | 7.7 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, Bolesław Prus | 136,314,606 | 1975 | 1975-8; 1981-4 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 złotych | 25 | 7.7 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, Adam Mickiewicz | >55,000,000 | 1975 | 1975-7 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 złotych | 25 | 7.7 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination | 224,209,255 | 1984 | 1984-8 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 10 złotych | 22 | 4.27 | manganese brass | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination | 187,692,000 | 1989 | 1989-90 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination; a skyscraper and cereals | 20,000,000 | 37,000,000 | 1973 | 1973-4; 1976 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination; Marceli Nowotko | 56,152,000 | 30,000,000 | 1974 | 1974-7; 1983 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 20 złotych | 26.5 | 8.7 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination | 103,383,710 | 1984 | 1984-8 | 1 January 1995 | Yes | |||||
| 20 złotych | 24 | 5.65 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination | 200,686,000 | 1989 | 1989-90 | 1 January 1995 | Yes |
In 1949, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 grosz and 1 złoty coins were issued. The first two denominations were minted only in 1949, the rest also later.
In 1952, Poland's official name was changed from "Republic of Poland" to "People's Republic of Poland". Coins minted in 1949 featured the former name. The 5 grosz brass coin was withdrawn in 1956. The rest circulated until 1994.
The 2, 5 and 10 złoty banknotes were withdrawn in the 1960s to be exchanged for coins.
The coins from 1 grosz to 2 złoty were quite simple designs but the 5, 10 and 20 złoty coins featured people, until the 1980s. As the Polish złoty became cheaper over time, older coins were rendered worthless, and the simple new coins were released only in złoty denominations. All the PRP and 1990 issued coins were withdrawn in 1994, as a result of the monetary reform conducted at that time.
| Pictures | Denomination | Diameter | Mass | Metal | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Number minted | Introduced | Issued | Withdrawn |
| 50 złotych | 26 | 6.8 | cupronickel | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 28,707,000 | 1990 | 1990 | 1 January 1995 | |
| 100 złotych | 28.6 | 7.68 | cupronickel | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting | Denomination, branch ornament | 37,341,000 | 1990 | 1990 | 1 January 1995 |
| Pictures | Value | Diameter | Mass | Metal | Obverse | Reverse | Number minted | Issued |
| 10 złotych | 31 | 12.9 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir III the Great, "Six hundred years of Jagiellonian University". Inscriptions concave | 2,610,100 | 1964 | |
| 10 złotych | 31 | 12.9 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir III the Great, "Six hundred years of Jagiellonian University". Inscriptions convex | 2,611,539 | 1964 | |
| 10 złotych | 31 | 12.9 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "Seven centuries of Warsaw" in Polish; figure of Nike | 3,492,000 | 1965 | |
| 10 złotych | 31 | 12.9 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa" | "Seven centuries of Warsaw" in Polish; Sigismund's Column; denomination | 2 mln | 1965 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa" | "Seven centuries of Warsaw" in Polish; Sigismund's Column; denomination | 102,000 | 1966 | |
| 100 złotych | 35 | 20 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; coat of arms of the voivoderships of the Rzeczpospolita | Mieszko I and Doubravka of Bohemia; denomination; "Tysiąclecie państwa polskiego" | 198,000 | 1966 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | General Karol Świerczewski | 2,000,000 | 1967 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa" | Marie Curie; denomination | 2,000,000 | 1967 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; "orzeł strzelecki" | "XXV years of People's Army of Poland"; head of a soldier, denomination | 2,000,000 | 1968 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa" | "Dwudziesta piąta rocznica PRL"; cereals, years of communist rule | 2,000,000 | 1969 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "Byliśmy - Jesteśmy - Będziemy", date; some coat of arms; a pillar with "PRL" written and its coat of arms | 2,000,000 | 1970 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | FAO; wheat and fish on a coin | 2,000,000 | 1971 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "50 years of the III Silesian Uprising"; Virtuti Militari cross | 2,000,000 | 1971 | |
| 10 złotych | 28 | 9.5 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination, borders of Poland. Writings go along the borders. | "50 years of Gdynia port" | 2,000,000 | 1972 | |
| 50 złotych | 30 | 12.75 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Fryderyk Chopin | 49,999 10,375 | 1972 1974 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Mikołaj Kopernik | 51,048 50,000 | 1973 1974 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "XXV years of Comecon" | 2,000,000 | 1974 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Marie Curie | 50,000 | 1974 | |
| 200 złotych | 31 | 14.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "XXX lat PRL" | 13,068,041 | 1974 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "International Year of Women"; a face of a woman | 2,000,000 | 1975 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Royal Castle in Warsaw | 50,177 | 1975 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Helena Modrzejewska | 60,158 | 1975 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Ignacy Jan Paderewski | 60,184 | 1975 | |
| 200 złotych | 31 | 14.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | "XXX rocznica zwycięstwa nad faszyzmem"; heads of two soldiers | 1,835,600 | 1975 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Tadeusz Kościuszko | 100,148 | 1976 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Kazimierz Pułaski | 100,334 | 1976 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 29.95 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Tadeusz Kościuszko | 2,318 | 1976 | |
| 200 złotych | 31 | 14.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XXI Olympic Games | 10,100 | 1976 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | European bison | 30,050 | 1977 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Henryk Sienkiewicz | 20,000 | 1977 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław Reymont | 20,150 | 1977 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Wawel Castle, Kraków | 30,000 | 1977 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 29.95 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Kazimierz Pułaski | 2,315 | 1976 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Fryderyk Chopin | 4,000 | 1976 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Maria Konopnicka | 2,009,800 | 1978 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Mirosław Hermaszewski; name of spaceship he flew on | 2,008,900 | 1978 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Moose | 30,000 | 1978 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Adam Mickiewicz | 30,000 | 1978 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Janusz Korczak | 30,000 | 1978 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Beaver | 30,000 | 1978 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Henryk Wieniawski | 30,000 | 1979 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Ludwik Zamenhof | 30,000 | 1979 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Lynx | 20,000 | 1979 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Tatra chamois | 20,000 | 1979 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Mieszko I | 12,150 | 1979 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | The International Year of a Child; children dancing in a circle | 2,006,700 | 1979 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Mieszko I | 2,640,400 | 1979 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Mieszko I | 3,000 | 1979 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Mikołaj Kopernik | 5,000 | 1979 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Maria Skłodowska-Curie | 5,000 | 1979 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XXII Olympic Games; a runner and the symbol of Olympic Games | 2,011,700 | 1980 | |
| 20 złotych | 29 | 10.15 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 50 years of "Dar Pomorza" yacht and itself | 2,069,200 | 1980 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław I the Brave | 2,564,200 | 1980 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir I the Restorer | 2,503,800 | 1980 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XXII Olympic Games; a runner and the symbol of Olympic Games | 10,000 | 1980 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Jan Kochanowski | 10,000 | 1980 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Western capercaille | 18,000 | 1980 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XIII Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, with the Olympic fire | 32,040 | 1980 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XIII Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, without the Olympic fire | 28,040 | 1980 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław I the Brave | 12,000 | 1980 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir I the Restorer | 12,000 | 1980 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław I the Brave | 2,500 | 1980 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XIII Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, without the Olympic fire; with the symbols of the Olympic games | 5,250 | 1980 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir I the Restorer | 2,500 | 1980 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław II the Generous | 2,538,400 | 1981 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław I Herman | 2,500,000 | 1981 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | General Władysław Sikorski | 2,504,500 | 1981 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | World Food Day; cereal; 16 Oct | 2,523,800 | 1981 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | General Władysław Sikorski | 12,000 | 1981 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Horse | 12,000 | 1981 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław II the Generous | 12,000 | 1981 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław I Herman | 12,000 | 1981 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław I Herman | 3,113 | 1981 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 21 | 8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław II the Generous | 3,000 | 1981 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław III Wrymouth | 2,616,100 | 1982 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | White stork | 12,000 | 1982 | |
| 100 złotych | 30 | 14.15 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 12,450 6 208 | 1982 1983 1986 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 1982 FIFA World Cup; goalkeeper in front of the goal | 21,000 | 1982 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bolesław III Wrymouth | 12,000 | 1982 | |
| 200 złotych | 40 | 28.3 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 6,650 6 107 | 1982 1983 1986 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 31 | 14.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 1,604,900 748,160 | 1982 1983 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 18 | 3.4 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 900 | 1982 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 40 | 34.5 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 700 | 1982 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 23 | 6.8 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 1,750 | 1982 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 40 | 34.5 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 900 | 1982 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 300 years of the Battle of Vienna; portrait of John III Sobieski | 2,576,000 | 1983 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Ignacy Łukasiewicz | 611,700 | 1983 | |
| 50 złotych | 30.5 | 11.7 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 150 years of the Great Theatre, and the Great Theatre itself | 615,000 | 1983 | |
| 100 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Bear | 8,000 | 1983 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John III Sobieski | 11,000 | 1983 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Wincenty Witos | 1,530,100 | 1984 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 40 years of the Polish People's Republic, map of Poland | 2,594,500 | 1984 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XXIII Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles | 16,000 | 1984 | |
| 200 złotych | 33 | 17.6 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XIV Winter Olympics in Sarajewo | 15,000 | 1984 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Swan | 10,000 | 1984 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Przemysław II | 2,924,300 | 1985 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Przemysław II | 8,000 | 1985 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Squirrel | 8,000 | 1985 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 40 years of UN | 10,000 | 1985 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław Łokietek | 2,539,700 | 1986 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 1986 FIFA World Cup; a football in the goal | 15,500 | 1986 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław Łokietek | 8,000 | 1986 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Owl | 12,000 | 1986 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 40 | 28.3 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 8 | 1986 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir III the Great | 8,000 | 1987 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | XV Winter Olympics in Calgary; a hockey goalkeeper | 8,000 | 1987 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul | 15,000 | 1987 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | UEFA Euro 1988, a player with a football | 12,000 | 1987 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 923,820 | 1987 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Casimir III the Great | 2,479,200 | 1987 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 18 | 3.1 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 201 | 1987 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 22 | 7.7 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 201 | 1987 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 27 | 15.5 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 201 | 1987 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 201 | 1987 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 70 | 373.2 | gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 101 | 1987 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Queen Jadwiga | 2,469,000 | 1988 | |
| 100 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 70 years of the Greater Poland Uprising; two men with rifles | 2,513,000 | 1988 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Queen Jadwiga | 8,000 | 1988 | |
| 500 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 1990 FIFA World Cup | 15,000 | 1988 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II - 10 years of pontificate | 5,000 | 1988 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II with a cross | 5,000 | 1988 | |
| 50,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Józef Piłsudski - 70 years of independence | 20,000 | 1988 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 18 | 3.1 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II - 10 years of pontificate | 1,000 | 1988 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 22 | 7.7 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II - 10 years of pontificate | 1,000 | 1988 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 27 | 15.5 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II - 10 years of pontificate | 1,000 | 1988 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II - 10 years of pontificate | 6,000 | 1988 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 70 | 373.2 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II - 10 years of pontificate | 300 | 1988 | |
| 500 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 50 years of the World War II; soldiers in the battlefield with rifles | 10,135,000 | 1989 | |
| 500 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław II Jagiełło | 2,544,000 | 1989 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Save the historical sights of Toruń | 20,000 | 1989 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Toruń buildings; Mikołaj Kopernik | 20,000 | 1989 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | A Polish soldier on the fronts of the WWII - Westerplatte | 25,000 | 1989 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław II Jagiełło - portrait en face | 8,000 | 1989 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | Władysław II Jagiełło - bust | 2,500 | 1989 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II with a cross | 5,000 | 1989 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 5,000 | 1989 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 1990 FIFA World Cup - a ball | 25,000 | 1989 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | silver | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | 1990 FIFA World Cup - a football player | 25,000 | 1989 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 18 | 3.1 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 1,000 | 1989 | |
| 2,000 złotych | 22 | 7.7 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 1,000 | 1989 | |
| 5,000 złotych | 27 | 15.5 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 1,000 | 1989 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 2,000 | 1989 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 70 | 373.2 | pure gold | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa"; denomination | John Paul II | 200 | 1989 |
1 - Means: Number with Tadeusz Kościuszko/Number with Józef Piłsudski/Number with Fryderyk Chopin.
| Pictures | Value | Diameter | Mass | Metal | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Number minted | Issued |
| 10,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | "Solidarność"; 3 crosses, anchor, some city | 15,164,010 | 1990 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 65 | 155.5 | pure silver | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Józef Piłsudski | 10,000 | 1990 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 65 | 155.5 | pure silver | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Chopin Monument in Warsaw | 10,000 | 1990 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 65 | 155.5 | pure silver | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Tadeusz Kościuszko on a horse | 10,000 | 1990 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | 75% silver alloy | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Stefan Rowecki "Grot" | 25,000 | 1990 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | 75% silver alloy | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Tadeusz Komorowski "Bór" | 25,000 | 1990 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 39 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Common: "Solidarność"; 3 crosses, anchor, some city Type A: "ZŁ" far from "1" in denomination, with letter "L" under the year 1990 Type B: "ZŁ" close to "1" in denomination, without letter "L" under the year 1990 Type C: "ZŁ" close to "1" in denomination, with letter "L" under the year 1990 Type D: other style of letter "S" in SOLIDARNOŚĆ | Totally 500,000 | 1990 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | As type B; flag reversed | 20,000 | 1990 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 39 | 31.1 | pure silver | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Józef Piłsudski | 10,000 | 1990 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 39 | 31.1 | pure silver | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Chopin Monument in Warsaw | 10,000 | 1990 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 39 | 31.1 | pure silver | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Tadeusz Kościuszko on a horse | 10,000 | 1990 | |
| 20,000; 50,000; 100,000 200,000 złotych | 18 22 27 32 | 3.1 2.7 15.5 31.1 | pure gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | "Solidarność"; 3 crosses, anchor, some city | 20,000: 1,004 200,000: 3,001 rest: 1,001 each type | 1990 | |
| 200,000; 500,000; 1,000,000 złotych | 32 39 65 | 31.1 62.6 373.2 | pure gold | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Tadeusz Kościuszko Józef Piłsudski Frederyk Chopin | 200,000 złotych: 13/13/101 500,000 złotych: 12/16/16 1,000,000 złotych: 1/1/1 | 1990 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - Narvik | 12,000 | 1991 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - Major Henryk Dobrzański "Hubal" | 12,000 | 1991 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - the Battle of Britain | 12,000 | 1991 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - Tobruk | 12,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | 92.5% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1992 Summer Olympics - a heavyweight athlete | 20,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | 92.5% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1992 Summer Olympics - a sailing boat | 20,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | General Michał Tokarzewski-Karaszewicz | 25,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | 92.5% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 70 ears of the International Poznań Fairs, some building; logo | 20,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | 92.5% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1992 Winter Olympics - a slalomist | 20,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 35 | 19.3 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | General Leopold Okulicki | 25,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 40 | 38.9 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200 years of the 3rd May Constitution, "Ustawa Rządowa" | 100,000 | 1991 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 29.5 | 9.47 | ferronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200th Anniversary of the 3rd May Constitution | 2,604,601 | 1991 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 32.1 | 9.45 | bimetallic; ring: manganese brass; centre - cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 225th Anniversary of the Warsaw Mint | 100,000 | 1991 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Seville Expo '92 | 45,000 | 1992 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Wojciech Korfanty, his signature; 70 years of unity of the Upper Silesia with Poland | 30,000 | 1992 | |
| 10,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Władysław III Warneńczyk | 2,500,000 | 1992 | |
| 50,000 złotych | Shape: regular octagon, side - 16 mm | 11.3 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200 years of the Virtuti Militari Order | 125,000 | 1992 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 500 years of the discovery of the New World; Christopher Columbus and a ship | 20,000 | 1992 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Stanisław Staszic | 20,000 | 1992 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - convoys; ships on the coin | 15,000 | 1992 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Władysław III Warneńczyk en face | 15,000 | 1992 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Władysław III Warneńczyk bust | 5,000 | 1992 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Łańcut castle | 500,000 | 1993 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Swallow | 520,000 | 1993 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk | 1,500,000 | 1993 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1994 Winter Olympics; biathlonist | 988,000 | 1993 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - resistance against occupants | 10,000 | 1993 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk en face | 15,000 | 1993 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk bust | 5,000 | 1993 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 750 years of the town rights of Szczecin | 20,000 | 1993 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1994 Winter Olympics - ice skaters | 20,000 | 1993 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The UNESCO World Heritage Site - Zamość - plan of Zamość | 20,000 | 1993 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 50 years of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising | 30,000 | 1993 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Łańcut castle | 20,000 | 1993 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Swallows | 20,000 | 1993 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 75 years of the "Związek Inwalidów Wojennych Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej" | 76,000 | 1994 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Sigismund I the Old | 1,500,000 | 1994 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | "Opening of the new building of the State Mint", the building itself | 252,000 | 1994 | |
| 20,000 złotych | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | rifled | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200 years of Kościuszko Insurrection | 100,000 | 1994 | |
| 1,000 złotych | 38.61 | 28.28 | 92.5% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1994 FIFA World Cup; a football stadium | 10,480 | 1994 | |
| 100,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 90% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 50 years of Warsaw Uprising, soldier | 150,000 | 1994 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 75 years of the Związek Inwalidów Wojennych | 15,000 | 1994 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | The Polish soldier on the fronts of the World War II - Monte Cassino; soldiers storming the mountain | 15,000 | 1994 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Sigismund I the Old en face | 15,000 | 1994 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Sigismund I the Old bust | 5,000 | 1994 | |
| 200,000 złotych | 32 | 16.5 | 75% silver alloy | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200 years of the Kościuszko Uprising | 15,000 | 1994 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 100 years from the birth of St. Maximilian Kolbe | 15,000 | 1994 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 50 years of Warsaw Uprising, soldiers with rifles and ruins | 30,000 | 1994 | |
| 300,000 złotych | 40 | 31.1 shape heptagonal | pure silver | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 70 years of the Bank of Poland rebirth | 20,880 | 1994 |
Polish złoty banknotes (PLZ)
Normal złoty
The banknotes issued in 1948 were already stable version. They were taken out of circulation in 1978 completely.From 1974 the new banknotes featuring "Great Polish people", and comprising the fifth series, were issued. Previous series were withdrawn from circulation. However, the replacement banknotes rapidly lost their real value. New larger denominations were necessary and printed.
In 1982, the 10 and 20 złoty banknotes were released instead of billon.
The last banknote released in Polish People's Republic was 200,000 złoty note, issued on 1 December 1989, which, because of its inadequate security features, was withdrawn from circulation. Starting on 27 December 1989 new banknotes were issued in the name of "Rzeczpospolita Polska", i.e. omitting the word "Ludowa", and from the coat of arms were altered to show the eagle wearing a crown restoring the situation that existed before World War II.
Banknotes of this series were redenominated at the rate of 10,000 PLZ to 1 PLN. All the existing PLZ denominations were legal tender and exchangeable into the PLN until the date of each value's withdrawal. After 31 December 2010, no PLZ banknote could be exchanged into PLN.
From 50,000 PLZ on, there were two versions released: older ones and the newer ones. The older banknotes had less efficient security features than the new ones. Newer printings had the denomination printed in red which shone under ultraviolet light instead of the previous grey-blue.
''Złoty dewizowy''
Between 1950 and 1990, a unit known as the złoty dewizowy was used as an artificial currency for calculation purposes only. It existed because at the time the złoty was not convertible and its official rate of exchange was set by the government. Additionally several exchange rates existed depending on the purpose of the transaction and who was exchanging; for example, złoty could be exchanged for, say, US dollars at one of several official exchange rates depending on what was to be bought with the hard currency and the entity that was buying. In reverse, it worked when an individual or a business had western currency earnings and wanted to convert them into złoty. The exchange rate did not depend on the amount being converted. Visitors from countries outside of the Soviet Bloc were offered a particularly poor exchange rate. Concurrently, the private black-market exchange rate contrasted sharply with the official government exchange rate until the end of communist rule in 1989, when official rates were tied to market rates.There were special banknotes, denominated in cents and dollars, which were legal tender only for goods imported to Poland. They were issued by two authorities only: Pekao S.A. and Baltona.
From 1 January 1990, Polish złoty became a fully convertible currency, with market-set, rather than state-determined, rates against foreign currencies.
Fourth złoty
Normal coins and banknotes
On 17 July 1990 Władysław Baka stated that development work upon złoty denomination would start soon. At the same time PLN coins were minted and released into circulation in 1995. This influenced the further process of money exchange in 1995, as exchanging low-value banknotes became considerably easier.The banknotes posed a bigger problem. In 1990, a new series of banknotes from 1 to 500 zł was created by Waldemar Andrzejewski, was proposed, but failed acceptance testing due to weak counterfeiting protection features. The designs featured buildings and structures from Greater Poland cities and proofs produced. Additionally 1,000 zł and 2,000 zł banknotes were proposed.
At the same time, to conduct redenomination, the inflation had to be stable and below 10% per annum. Balcerowicz plan helped very much to achieve that in four years' time. On 11 May 1994 the Economical Committee of the Council of Ministers accepted the denominalization project from the NBP. The act allowing the project to come into force was ratified on 7 July 1994.
At the same time, new banknotes were printed, which are still legal tender today. These feature the most prominent Polish monarchs. Their author is Andrzej Heidrich.
These designs were revealed to the public on 21 November 1994. The following day TVP,, began publicising the designs on TV in a campaign that lasted until 1 January 1995 when the redenomination took place. 10,000 PLZ became 1 PLN. Unlike previous redenominations there were no restrictions on where the money was or who owned it.
When the new Polish złoty was released, it co-existed with the PLZ for two years. All prices had to be indicated in both PLZ and PLN. The priority was to take the low-denomination PLZ to convert them to coinage. After 31 December 1996, PLZ was no longer legal tender. Between then and 31 December 2010, any PLZ banknotes and could only be exchanged into PLN by the NBP, its affiliates, or any bank. The sum for exchange had to be the multiple of 100 PLZ, which were worth 0.01 PLN. As of 31 December 2009, NBP estimate that some 1,748,000,000,000 PLZ had not yet been exchanged.
There was one thing that did not change: the official name of the currency. Although the ISO 4217 was altered the relevant legislation made the point that the official name of the currency is still the złoty. New Polish złoty is an unofficial way to address the Polish currency.
| Obverse pictures | Reverse pictures | Denomination | Diameter | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Issued | Producer |
| 1 grosz | 15.5 | 1.64 | manganese brass | rifled | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-3 1995 1997-2005 2007-14 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 1 grosz | 15.5 | 1.64 | steel galvanized by brass | rifled | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 2013-6 | The Royal Mint | ||
| 2 grosze | 17.5 | 2.13 | manganese brass | smooth | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-2 1997-2005 2007-14 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 2 grosze | 17.5 | 2.13 | steel galvanized by brass | smooth | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 2013-6 | The Royal Mint | ||
| 5 groszy | 19.5 | 2.59 | manganese brass | milled: 4 rows, each has 12 dents | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-3 1998-2005 2007-14 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 5 groszy | 19.5 | 2.59 | steel galvanized by brass | milled: 4 rows, each has 12 dents | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 2013-6 | The Royal Mint | ||
| 10 groszy | 16.5 | 2.51 | cupronickel | milled: 4 rows, each has 10 dents | denomination with a bush ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-3 1998-2005 2007-15 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 20 groszy | 18.5 | 3.22 | cupronickel | rifled | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-2 1996-2016 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 50 groszy | 20.5 | 3.94 | cupronickel | rifled | denomination with a leaf ornament | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-2 1995 2006 2008-15 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 1 złoty | 23 | 5.00 | cupronickel | milled: 2 rows, each has 16 dents | denomination with a leaf ornament, in a circle | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1990-5 2008-10 2012-5 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 2 złote | 21.5 the centre diameter: 12 | 5.21 | Centre: cupronickel; Ring: aluminium bronze | smooth | denomination | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1994-5 2005-10 2014-5 | Mennica Warszawska | ||
| 5 złotych | 24 the centre diameter: 16 | 6.54 | Ring: cupronickel; Centre: aluminium bronze | irregularly rifled | denomination | Polish coat of arms', inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska" and the year of minting | 1994 1996 2008-10 2015 | Mennica Warszawska |
Issue details of zloty and grosz coins are shown in the table below:
| Year\coin | 5 zł | 2 zł | 1 zł | 50 gr | 20 gr | 10 gr | 5 gr | 2 gr | 1 gr | Total amount | Worth |
| 1990 | 20,240,000 | 29,152,000 | 25,100,000 | 43,055,000 | 70,240,000 | 34,400,000 | 29,140,000 | 251,327,000 | 48,632,900 PLN | ||
| 1991 | 60,080,000 | 99,120,000 | 75,400,000 | 123,164,300 | 171,040,000 | 97,410,000 | 79,000,000 | 705,214,300 | 148,326,630 PLN | ||
| 1992 | 102,240,000 | 116,000,000 | 106,100,001 | 210,000,005 | 103,784,000 | 157,000,003 | 362,000,000 | 1,157,124,009 | 214,409,200.76 PLN | ||
| 1993 | 20,904,000 | 84,240,008 | 20,280,101 | 80,780,000 | 206,204,109 | 31,149,805.85 PLN | |||||
| 1994 | 112,896,033 | 79,644,000 | 69,956,000 | 262,496,033 | 793,724,165 PLN | ||||||
| 1995 | 122,880,020 | 99,740,122 | 101,600,113 | 102,280,109 | 426,500,364 | 377,323,019.59 PLN | |||||
| 1996 | 52,940,003 | 29,745,000 | 82,685,003 | 270,649,015 PLN | |||||||
| 1997 | 59,755,000 | 92,400,002 | 103,080,002 | 255,235,004 | 14,829,800.06 PLN | ||||||
| 1998 | 52,500,000 | 62,695,000 | 93,472,002 | 154,840,050 | 257,640,003 | 621,147,055 | 27,116,301.13 PLN | ||||
| 1999 | 25,985,000 | 47,040,000 | 99,024,000 | 187,900,000 | 203,970,000 | 563,919,000 | 20,649,900 PLN | ||||
| 2000 | 52,135,000 | 104,060,000 | 75,600,000 | 94,500,000 | 210,100,000 | 536,395,000 | 28,604,000 PLN | ||||
| 2001 | 41,980,001 | 62,820,000 | 67,368,000 | 84,000,000 | 210,000,020 | 466,168,021 | 21,826,400.40 PLN | ||||
| 2002 | 10,500,000 | 10,500,000 | 67,200,000 | 83,910,000 | 240,000,000 | 412,110,000 | 10,588,200 PLN | ||||
| 2003 | 20,400,000 | 31,500,000 | 48,000,000 | 80,000,000 | 250,000,000 | 429,900,000 | 13,730,000 PLN | ||||
| 2004 | 40,000,025 | 70,500,000 | 62,500,000 | 100,000,000 | 300,000,000 | 573,000,025 | 23,175,005 PLN | ||||
| 2005 | 5,000,000 | 37,000,025 | 94,000,000 | 113,000,000 | 163,003,250 | 375,000,000 | 787,003,275 | 39,460,070 PLN | |||
| 2006 | 5,000,000 | 35,000,000 | 40,000,000 | 80,000,000 | 35,500,000 PLN | ||||||
| 2007 | 20,000,000 | 68,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 116,000,000 | 160,000,000 | 330,000,000 | 794,000,000 | 75,900,000 PLN | |||
| 2008 | 5,000,000 | 15,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 91,000,000 | 103,000,000 | 107,000,000 | 172,000,000 | 316,000,000 | 827,000,000 | 106,950,000 PLN |
| 2009 | 59,000,000 | 62,000,000 | 34,000,000 | 57,000,000 | 133,000,000 | 146,000,000 | 160,000,000 | 222,000,000 | 338,000,000 | 1,211,000,000 | 538,520,000 PLN |
| 2010 | 30,000,000 | 15,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 45,000,000 | 62,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 120,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 537,000,000 | 213,100,000 PLN |
| 2011 | 10,000,000 | 15,000,000 | 80,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 615,000,000 | 26,200,200 PLN | |||
| 2012 | 10,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 38,000,000 | 136,000,000 | 60,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 365,000,000 | 721,000,000 | 45,850,000 PLN | ||
| 2013 | 21,000,000 | 30,000,000 | 36,000,000 | 142,000,000 | 88,000,000 | 150,000,000 | 323,000,000 | 790,000,000 | 68,030,000 PLN | ||
| 2014 | 28,000,000 | 35,250,000 | 28,400,000 | 46,000,000 | 88,000,000 | 96,004,500 | 137,084,750 | 420,924,900 | 879,664,150 | 135,201,169 PLN | |
| 2015 | 38,040,000 | 34,350,000 | 39,000,000 | 44,010,000 | 78,030,000 | 112,050,000 | 115,050,000 | 129,870,000 | 388,560,000 | 978,960,000 | 358,951,500 PLN |
| Total | 297,876,036 | 386,874,020 | 520,410,122 | 587,282,113 | 1,166,630,052 | 1,912,624,313 | 1,923,562,003 | 2,670,318,055 | 5,704,475,034 | 15,170,052,718 | - |
| Worth | 1,489,380,180 zł | 773,748,040 zł | 520,410,122 zł | 293,641,056.50 zł | 233,326,010.40 zł | 191,262,431.30 zł | 96,178,100.15 zł | 53,406,361.10 zł | 57,044,750.34 zł | 3,708,396,951.79 zł |
In 2012 new banknotes were printed, with added security features. They do not differ greatly from the first version, but may be distinguished by the colour of the field with the watermark on the obverse. In the original banknotes, these correspond to the note's main colour, while they are white on the newer ones. Starting from 50 złoty, the new security features differ from those on the older banknotes. Newer banknotes also have some randomly arranged dots, which are part of the EURion constellation.
A 500 złoty banknote will be also produced in this series, currently scheduled for introduction in February 2017.
Commemorative coins and banknotes
Poland has released commemorative banknotes since 2006. As of July 2018, nine have been issued. On 31 August 2018 the next 20 zloty commemorative note will be released by National Bank of Poland. It was also already announced that in 2019 next commemorative note will be released to commemorate 100th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Polish Security Printing Works. It will be the first Polish commemorative banknote with an odd face value - 19 zloty.There are also very many commemorative coins. These are legal tender in all payments, but such use is not recommended by the National Bank of Poland.
| Pictures | Value | Diameter | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | Amount | Year of minting |
| 2 złote | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | A cemetery with a lot of crosses; Katyń - Miednoje - Charków; | 300,000 | 1995 | |
| 2 złote | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Catfish | 300,000 | 1995 | |
| 2 złote | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 75 years of the Battle of Warsaw; | 300,000 | 1995 | |
| 2 złote | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Łazienki Palace; | 287,300 | 1995 | |
| 2 złote | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 100 years of the modern Olympic Games | 350,000 | 1995 | |
| 2 złote | 29.5 | 10.8 | cupronickel | mixed | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1996 Summer Olympics - wrestlers | 350,000 | 1995 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Sigismund II Augustus | 200,000 | 1996 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Erinaceus europaeus | 300,000 | 1996 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Castle in Lidzbark Warmiński | 300,000 | 1996 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Henryk Sienkiewicz | 300,000 | 1996 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Stephen Báthory | 315,000 | 1997 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Lucanus cervus | 315,000 | 1997 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Pieskowa Skała castle | 315,000 | 1997 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200 years from the birth of Paweł Edmund Strzelecki; Australia and its endemite animals | 420,000 | 1997 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 1998 Winter Olympics - snowboarder | 400,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Sigismund III Vasa | 400,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Bufo calamita | 400,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 100 years of polonium and radium discovery; Marie and Pierre Curie | 400,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Kórnik Castle | 400,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 80 years of independence | 400,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 200 years from the birth of Adam Mickiewicz | 420,000 | 1998 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 100 years of Ernest Malinowski's death, inscription: "The creator of the Ferrocarril Central Andino" | 420,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | smooth | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 150 years of Julisz Słowacki's death | 420,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | NARODOWY BANK POLSKI ★ | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Wolf | 420,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | NARODOWY BANK POLSKI ★ | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | 150 years of Fryderyk Chopin's death | 420,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | NARODOWY BANK POLSKI ★ | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Poland's admission to NATO; soldiers going out of a helicopter; a globe | 450,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | NARODOWY BANK POLSKI ★ | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Jan Łaski - the Church reformer | 450,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | NARODOWY BANK POLSKI ★ | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Radzyń Podlaski Castle | 450,000 | 1999 | |
| 2 złote | 27 | 8.15 | Nordic gold | NARODOWY BANK POLSKI ★ | Coat of arms, year of minting; inscription: "Rzeczpospolita Polska"; denomination | Władysław IV Vasa | 500,000 | 1999 | |
Future of złoty
One of the conditions of Poland's joining the European Union in May 2004 obliges the country to eventually adopt the euro, though not at any specific date and only after Poland meets the necessary stability criteria. Serious discussions regarding joining the Eurozone have ensued. However, article 227 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland will need to be amended first, so it was considered unlikely that Poland would adopt the euro before 2019. Public opinion research by CBOS from March 2011 shows that 60% of Poles are against changing their currency. Only 32% of Poles want to adopt the euro, compared to 41% in April 2010.Exchange rates
Name and plural forms
The term złoty closely resembles zwoti, although the letter y in złoty is pronounced in a hard manner. The accurate pronunciation is. There are two plural forms: złote and złotych. The correct usage of the plural forms is as follows:- 1 złoty/grosz /
- 2...4; 22...24; 32...34, 102...104, 122...124, 132...134, złote/grosze /
- 0, 5...21; 25...31; 35...41 ; 95...101; 105...121; 125...131; złotych/groszy /
one can find general rules for the declension of cardinal numerals in Polish; the classes
one, few, many and other are złoty, złote, złotych, and złotego, respectively, for "złoty", and grosz, grosze, groszy, and grosza, respectively, for "grosz".