Description and research notes
The 1 złoty of 28 February 1919, printed in London by Waterlow & Sons, stands as the inaugural złoty of the reborn Republic of Poland following independence in 1918. It was the lowest denomination of the reform series and among the most widely used, yet it carried enormous symbolic weight: the obverse bears the portrait of Tadeusz Kościuszko, national hero of both Poland and the American Revolution, surrounded by intricate guilloches and the bold legend 'Bank Polski.' Kościuszko’s inclusion underscored the continuity of national identity after more than a century of partitions.
This example is further distinguished by its serial number: a radar repeater, 070070 (Series S.26 C), a pattern highly prized by collectors for its symmetry and rarity. Graded PMG 66 EPQ, it is the Top Pop for this type — no higher-graded example is known. The EPQ designation is especially significant for this issue, as Waterlow’s production often left subtle rippling or handling in the paper that disqualifies notes from the originality designation. Here the paper is fully original, margins are wide and even, and the inks retain deep violet vibrancy.
A showpiece survivor of the first złoty issue, combining historic symbolism, special-number appeal, and census-topping grade — one of the finest obtainable examples of Poland’s post-independence launch currency.