10 marek 1919

Common. The eBay price history demonstrates consistent market availability with examples regularly selling in the $3-$70 range depending on condition grade, with hundreds of documented sales over a 15-year period. PMG-graded examples (the most sought-after) typically sell for $28-$70, while ungraded examples trade for $2-$25. The broad price distribution and high transaction frequency indicate this note was produced in substantial quantities and remains readily available to collectors. The UNC condition specimens are less common than circulated examples but are not scarce, with multiple UNC sales documented at $13.50-$22, well within the 'common' range for early 20th-century currency.

This banknote represents Poland's immediate post-World War I monetary independence, issued just months after the restoration of Polish statehood in November 1918. The prominent depiction of Tadeusz Kościuszko, the 18th-century national independence hero, and the crowned eagle heraldic symbol reflect the newly sovereign nation's assertion of national identity. The issuer, Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa (Polish National Loan Bank), was Poland's first state financial institution, tasked with establishing currency credibility and replacing the currencies of the partitioning empires that had previously circulated in Polish territories.

The obverse features an elaborate ornamental border in teal-green and brown with decorative hop or leaf motifs framing the entire design. Within a large central cartouche with maroon background is the denomination text 'Dziesięć Marek Polskich.' On the right side of the obverse is a profile portrait of Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746-1817), the acclaimed Polish-Lithuanian military leader and national independence symbol, rendered in fine engraved detail within a decorative oval frame. The Polish state coat of arms appears in the heraldic border elements. The reverse is dominated by an elaborate crowned Polish eagle coat of arms (Orzeł Biały with crown) in the center, rendered as an ornate heraldic shield with scrollwork and flourishes. The denomination '10' is prominently displayed at top and bottom. Serial numbers in red/crimson ink (II Serja CB N 031050) appear in the lower corners. The entire design employs fine-line engraved patterns characteristic of high-security currency production of the period.

FRONT: 'Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa' (Polish National Loan Bank); 'Dziesięć Marek Polskich' (Ten Polish Marks); Central text: 'The Polish Ministry assumes responsibility for the exchange of these notes for metal at the State Loan Bank, which adopted these Polish marks by legislative decree'; 'Warszawa, dnia 23. sierpnia 1919 roku' (Warsaw, dated August 23, 1919); 'Dyrekcja Polskiej Krajowej Kasy Pożyczkowej' (Direction of the Polish National Loan Bank). BACK: 'Kto podrabia lub fałszuje bilety Polskiej Krajowej Kasy Pożyczkowej albo puszcza w obieg bite uszkodzone pismem, w obieg doporoione lub fałszowane bilety, podlega karze ciezkiego więzienia' (Whoever forges or falsifies tickets of the Polish National Loan Bank or puts damaged, defaced, or counterfeit tickets into circulation is subject to severe imprisonment); Serial designation: 'II Serja CB N 031050' (Series II CB, Number 031050); Denomination markers: '10' (Ten).

Intaglio (engraved) printing on paper, executed with multiple color plates (teal-green, brown, and tan underprints with red overprinted serial numbers). The fine detail, complex line work, and layered decorative patterns throughout are consistent with traditional steel plate engraving, the standard security printing method for currency of this era. The precision of the heraldic imagery and portrait work indicates production by a specialized security printer, likely from Central European currency printing facilities experienced in Austro-Hungarian crown production. No specific printer attribution is documented in available catalogs for this Pick number.

The observed example is Series II CB (Seria II CB), one of two documented serial number varieties for Pick 25. The specific serial number visible is N 031050. According to RealBanknotes.com, two serial number varieties exist for this issue; this specimen represents the second series. No signature varieties, date varieties, or overprint varieties are documented for this Pick number, as the note displays the standard single date of issue (23 August 1919) and consistent ministry/bank directorate formatting across all known examples.