100 zlotych 1939
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a Polish 100 zlotych banknote from 1939 issued by Bank Polski with General Gouvernement overprints, graded AU. The note features Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski in profile on the obverse and allegorical figures flanking a prominent tree on the reverse, both rendered in fine engraved detail. The front displays distinctive red German overprint stamps ('für die Reichsbank' and 'Reichenamt Gebung Deutsch Geld') indicating the occupation period, with the note showing appropriate aging patina and wear consistent with its 85+ year age.
Common. This 1939 overprinted issue, while historically significant, was produced in substantial quantities and remains relatively available in the numismatic market. eBay pricing data shows AU examples trading consistently in the $67.50 range with catalog values of $90 for UNC condition, typical of common wartime issues. The denomination, issuer, and overprint variety are standard examples of Polish occupation currency that were produced in high numbers and have survived in moderate quantities.
This 1939 overprinted note represents Polish currency during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II. The German overprints visible on the obverse ('für die Reichsbank' and 'Reichenamt Gebung Deutsch Geld') reflect the Reichsbank's control over Polish monetary circulation following the invasion. The original 1932 design by Bank Polski, featuring the national hero Prince Poniatowski and symbolic tree imagery, was retained but repurposed under German occupation authority.
The obverse features a bearded portrait of Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski in formal 19th-century dress with decorated collar, positioned right of center within an ornate oval frame. Large octagonal denomination frames containing '100' occupy the top corners. The note employs brown and tan base colors with pink/red security overprints forming diagonal bands. The reverse depicts two classical allegorical figures—a male figure (left) and female figure (right) in draped robes—flanking a large, prominent tree with thick trunk and full canopy set against a landscape with water. Floral garland wreaths in pink/coral connect the figures. The text 'STO ZŁOTYCH' appears at top center, with ornate octagonal denomination frames in all four corners. Fine engraved patterns and ornamental borders frame all central elements.
FRONT: '100' (denomination corners), 'BANK POLSKI' (Bank of Poland), 'für die Reichsbank' (for the Reich Bank), 'Reichenamt Gebung Deutsch Geld' (Reich Office for German Currency), 'Ser.CY' (Series CY), '8377031' (serial number). BACK: '100' (denomination corners), 'STO ZŁOTYCH' (100 zlotych), 'BILETY BANKU POLSKIEGO SA PŁATNICZYM W POLSCE' (Banknotes of the Polish Bank are legal tender in Poland), 'PRAWNYM ŚRODKIEM' (legal means of payment).
Steel engraving with intaglio printing, typical of Bank Polski banknote production in the 1930s. The fine microprint patterns, ornamental designs, and portrait rendering exhibit characteristics of classical European security printing. The red German overprints appear to have been applied as a secondary process during occupation, using stamp or lithographic application. This note was likely produced by the state security printers of Bank Polski before being overprinted for Reichsbank circulation.
This note exhibits the 1939 German occupation overprint variety, distinctly marked by the red stamps 'für die Reichsbank' and 'Reichenamt Gebung Deutsch Geld' applied diagonally across the obverse. The specimen observed bears Series 'CY' designation with serial number 8377031. This represents the standard overprinted variety for circulation under German occupation authority, distinguishing it from unoverprinted Bank Polski issues from the original 1932 emission (Pick-89 versus Pick-90 variants noted in catalog references).
