1 marka 1919
About This Note
This is an AU-graded Polish 1 Marka from May 17, 1919, issued by the Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa (Polish National Loan Bank) during Poland's early independence period. The note features an exceptionally ornate design with an intricate rococo-style eagle on the reverse and formal government text on the obverse, both printed in grey-blue and grey-purple tones on aged beige paper. The condition shows natural aging appropriate to a century-old note, with visible creasing and yellowing, yet retains strong visual appeal with crisp ornamental details throughout.
Common. The Polish National Loan Bank issued 1 Marka notes in substantial quantities during 1919-1920 to support the newly independent Polish state's monetary system. These notes circulated widely and many survived, making them readily available to collectors. Pick catalog lists this denomination without rarity notation, and examples appear frequently in dealer stocks and auctions across various condition grades.
This banknote was issued just weeks after Poland's independence was formally recognized in 1919, representing one of the earliest monetary instruments of the restored Polish state. The prominent heraldic eagle with crown on the reverse symbolizes Polish sovereignty and national identity during this pivotal period of reconstruction. The formal legislative language referencing the Sejm Ustawodawczy (Legislative Sejm) on the obverse underscores the constitutional foundation of the new Polish monetary system and the authority by which this currency was established.
The obverse presents a formal, symmetrical layout dominated by government text blocks and an official seal area with handwritten signature authority. Four circular corner emblems containing the numeral '1' frame the composition, with ornate geometric borders creating a sophisticated decorative frame. The reverse features a majestic Polish state eagle (Orzeł Biały) with outstretched wings, crowned, positioned within an elaborate circular medallion. The eagle is surrounded by concentric bands of intricate rococo-style floral and geometric ornamentation, creating a highly symmetrical, formal heraldic composition. The entire design employs dense, fine line-work characteristic of high-security banknote engraving of the era.
FRONT SIDE: 'JEDYNA MARKA POLSKA' (One Polish Mark) — primary denomination statement. 'BILET POLSKIEJ KRAJOWEJ KASY POŻYCZKOWEJ' (Bill of the Polish National Loan Bank) — issuing authority. Main text: 'Państwo Polskie przyznając uniejeszy bilet na przysługę polską walutę według stanu który dla Marek Polskich urzędzi Sejm Ustawodawczy' (The Polish State grants this bill as Polish currency according to the status which the Legislative Sejm established for Polish Marks). 'Warszawa, dnia 17 maja 1919 roku.' (Warsaw, May 17, 1919). 'Dyrekcja Polskiej Krajowej Kasy Pożyczkowej' (Direction of the Polish National Loan Bank). Serial number: 121,711. Security warning: 'KTO PODRABA LUB FALSUJE BILETY POLSKIEJ KRAJOWEJ KASY POŻYCZKOWEJ ALBO PUSZCZA W OBIEG UISICIE PUŚCIĆ W OBIEG PODZIELANIE LUB FAŁSZOWANE BILETY PODLEGAJĄ KARZE CIEŻKIEGO WIĘZIENIA.' (Whoever counterfeits or falsifies bills of the Polish National Loan Bank or puts counterfeit or falsified bills into circulation is subject to hard imprisonment.) BACK SIDE: 'MARKA POLSKA' (Polish Mark) and 'JEDNA' (One) flanking the central eagle design.
This note was produced using intaglio (engraved line) printing on a single color pass, creating the fine detailed patterns visible throughout. The ornamental borders, heraldic eagle, and decorative frames show the characteristic sharp line definition of steel-plate engraving. The printing was executed by the note-printing facilities of the Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa under government supervision. Security features were primarily design-based, relying on the complexity and fine detail of the engraved imagery rather than modern chemical or optical security elements.
This specific example is dated May 17, 1919, with serial number 121,711. The note features handwritten signatures typical of this issue period. Varieties for the 1 Marka 1919 (Pick P-19) are primarily distinguished by serial number ranges and signature variants. The 'ICZ' notation visible on the front may indicate a specific printing facility or authorization code. No significant overprints or substantial design varieties are known for this denomination from this issuing authority.
