1 zloty 1941

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales across multiple condition grades from 2011-2026, with VG examples selling for under $5 and UNC examples typically ranging from $7-$10. The 2016 catalog value for UNC is listed at $10, and the note appears regularly in the secondary market with stable, modest pricing. This was part of a standard circulation series from a major issuer during an extended occupation period, indicating substantial original print runs.

This 1941 banknote was issued by Bank Emisyjny w Polsce (the Emission Bank in Poland) during the German occupation of Poland in World War II, when the General Government administered Polish territories. The note bears the official Kraków date and institutional signatures of the bank's President and Vice President, reflecting the complex administrative structures maintained during occupation. The ornamental, geometrically-focused design eschews figurative imagery, typical of notes issued during this constrained period when nationalist or heroic imagery was politically sensitive.

The obverse features a symmetrical, ornamental design centered on a large decorative numeral '1' within an elaborate frame of angular patterns and cross-hatching, flanked by geometric border elements in olive and tan tones. The reverse presents a complementary design with a prominent central numeral '1' adorned with wing-like or scroll flourishes, surrounded by 'ZŁ' abbreviations in ornamental ovals and framed by wave-pattern borders in blue-gray tones. Both sides employ fine mesh and cross-hatching as primary security features and decorative elements, with no portrait imagery but rather pure geometric and ornamental ornamentation typical of wartime financial documents.

Front side: 'JEDEN ZŁOTY' (One Zloty), 'BANK EMISYJNY W POLSCE' (Emission Bank in Poland), 'KRAKÓW 1. SIERPNIA 1941 R.' (Kraków August 1, 1941), 'Prezydent' (President), 'Zastępca Prezydenta' (Vice President), serial number 'BB 5939119', and 'ZŁOTY' (Zloty). Reverse side: 'BANK EMISYJNY W POLSCE' (Emission Bank in Poland), 'JEDEN ZŁOTY' (One Zloty), and 'ZŁ' (Złoty abbreviation) appearing in decorative ovals on both sides of the central numeral.

Intaglio (recess) printing, evidenced by the sharp, crisp line work, fine mesh patterns, cross-hatching details, and the depth of impression visible in the ornamental borders and numerals. The precision of the geometric security features and the clarity of all inscriptions confirm professional intaglio production. The printer for this specific issue is not definitively identified from the available data, though Bank Emisyjny w Polsce employed established European security printers during this period.

This example is identified by serial number prefix 'BB' and serial number 5939119, issued from the Kraków location on August 1, 1941. The Bank Emisyjny w Polsce 1941 1 Złoty series (Pick P-99) includes various serial number prefixes reflecting production batches. The 'BB' prefix represents one such variety, though without comprehensive registry data, the relative rarity of specific prefixes cannot be definitively determined. No major overprints, date variations, or signature varieties are evident on this particular specimen.