200 złotych (front) / 100 złotych (back) PLZ #433

Front

An allegorical female figure in classical robes, representing Poland or Liberty, appears on this 200 złotych note. The inscription 'ZA WASZĄ I NASZĄ WOLNOŚĆ' (For Your Freedom and Ours) is prominently featured, a famous Polish motto dating to the November Uprising of 1830–1831 that became a rallying cry for solidarity with other nations fighting for independence. This slogan reflects Poland's historical commitment to supporting liberation movements beyond its own borders.

Back

Zygmunt Wróblewski (1845–1888), Polish physicist and chemist who, together with Karol Olszewski, was the first to liquefy oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide in 1883 at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. This groundbreaking achievement in low-temperature physics placed Poland at the forefront of cryogenics research in the late 19th century. The date on this note, 1 grudnia 1988 (1 December 1988), appears on what is nominally a 100 złotych denomination.

History

This note presents a significant mismatch: the front displays '200 DWIEŚCIE ZŁOTYCH' (200 złotych) while the back shows '100 STO ZŁOTYCH' dated 'WARSZAWA, 1 GRUDNIA 1988 r.' (Warsaw, 1 December 1988). This is highly unusual and suggests either a major printing error, a mismatched pair of images, or a deliberate specimen/test printing. The note belongs to the late communist-era złoty series issued by Narodowy Bank Polski during the period of high inflation that preceded the 1990 redenomination (when 10,000 old złotych = 1 new złoty). The 100 złotych note featuring Zygmunt Wróblewski was part of the standard issue series. The front's '200 złotych' with the freedom motto was also part of this series but typically paired with different reverse imagery. Serial number PR 0672618 visible on the back. The signatures represent the Bank President (Prezes) and Chief Treasurer (Główny Skarbnik) in office in 1988. This currency was withdrawn and replaced by the new złoty (PLN) in 1995 following the 1990 and 1995 currency reforms that stabilized Poland's post-communist economy.