5 zlotych 1944
Market Prices
8 salesAbout This Note
This is a Polish 5 Złotych note from 1944, issued by Narodowy Bank Polski during World War II. The note displays the characteristic brown and purple tones on cream background with intricate ornamental borders and the Polish eagle emblem prominently featured. In Fair (F) condition, it exhibits significant age-related wear including multiple fold lines, yellowing, and foxing consistent with 80 years of circulation—a historically important piece of Polish wartime currency.
Common. The eBay price tracking data shows consistent sales in the F-VF range between $6.50 and $20.00 over multiple years, with catalog values (2016) listing F condition at approximately $5-10. These modest, stable prices and regular appearance in the secondary market indicate this is a commonly available note despite its historical significance. The print run for this 1944 issue was substantial, and survival rates remain good.
Issued in 1944 by Narodowy Bank Polski during the German occupation of Poland in World War II, this banknote represents a complex period of Polish monetary history. The prominent white eagle emblem within a shield reflects Polish national identity maintained even under occupation. The mandatory acceptance clause ('PRZYJMOWANIE WE WSZYSTKICH WYPŁATACH JEST OBOWIĄZKOWE') underscores the note's official legal tender status during this turbulent historical period.
The note features a symmetrical design centered on the Polish white eagle (Orzeł Biały) displayed within a heraldic shield, the national emblem of Poland. The front displays the denomination 'PIĘĆ ZŁOTYCH' in large serif lettering within an oval frame, with the year '1944' prominently displayed below. Both sides are framed by ornate decorative borders composed of intricate geometric patterns, scrollwork, and elaborate cross-hatching typical of security printing from this era. The color scheme utilizes brown and purple tones on a cream/beige background, with fine line work providing visual complexity and anti-counterfeiting measures.
FRONT: 'NARODOWY BANK POLSKI' (National Bank of Poland); 'PIĘĆ ZŁOTYCH' (Five Zlotych); '1944' (Year of issue); 'FAŁSZOWANIE BĘDZIE KARANE ZGODNIE Z PRAWEM' (Counterfeiting will be punished according to law). BACK: 'NARODOWY BANK POLSKI' (National Bank of Poland); 'PIĘĆ ZŁOTYCH' (Five Zlotych); 'PRZYJMOWANIE WE WSZYSTKICH WYPŁATACH JEST OBOWIĄZKOWE' (Acceptance in all payments is mandatory); Serial number 'YB 146859' (appears on both sides).
Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of banknote production from this period. The intricate cross-hatching, fine line work, geometric border patterns, and serif typography visible throughout are hallmarks of intaglio engraving. The note was printed by Narodowy Bank Polski (Polish National Bank), as indicated in the catalog data and visible on the note itself. The complexity of the design and fine detail work is consistent with security printing standards of the 1940s.
This note is cataloged as Pick P-109a, representing the correct spelling variant. The visual analysis confirms the spelling 'OBOWIAZKOWE' (correct Polish spelling) rather than the erroneous 'OBOWIAZKOWYM' found on the Goznak (Moscow)-printed P-108 variant. The serial number prefix 'YB' is visible on the examined note (YB 146859). PMG has cataloged one variant for this base Pick number, suggesting limited major variety differentiation in professional grading populations.
