Polish Coin

As with many other European and non-European currencies, the zloty is divided into groszy, which allows for better management of the overall value of the currency.

Specifically, the groszy are defined as “groszy” and have roughly the same value as Euro cents. 100 groszy indeed equals 1 zloty, often indicated with the abbreviation ZL, which is certainly much easier and more straightforward to interpret.

Regarding the groszy, there are currently various denominations of coins available “on the market”.

For example, there are coins of 1 groszy, 2 groszy, 5 groszy, 10 groszy, 20 groszy, and 50 groszy. As for the zloty, there are denominations of 1 zloty, 2 zloty, and 5 zloty.

In addition to these, there are also banknotes equivalent to 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 zloty.

As you can see, the denominations are very similar to those of our currency, being practically identical and, as mentioned, having more or less the same value.

After analyzing in general the various denominations and values of Polish coins, it is good to look specifically at the characteristics and peculiarities that the circulating Polish currency presents.

Both in terms of size and regarding weight and materials, the different Polish coins differ greatly from each other, presenting a completely different appearance.

Poland Coin 1 grosz

For example, the 1 grosz coin has a very solid structure made of steel and bronze. In this case, it is a very light coin weighing 1.64 grams and a diameter of 15.5 millimeters.

Poland Coin 2 grosz

The 2 grosz coin is slightly larger, indicating its higher value. In this case, this Polish coin, also made of bronze and steel, has a diameter of 17.5 millimeters and a weight of 2.13 grams.

Poland Coin 5 grosz

The 5 grosz coin is also made of bronze and steel, thus presenting a very similar appearance to the other coins in Poland. However, it should be noted that what varies, once again, is weight and diameter. The former is 2.59 grams while the latter is 19.5 millimeters.

Poland Coin 10 grosz

Things start to change significantly when approaching slightly higher denominations. Starting from the 10 grosz coin, the presented characteristics begin to differ. The first thing that immediately catches the eye is the material used for this Polish coin. This coin is made of cupronickel, a material with very particular and specific characteristics. The weight is 2.51 grams while the diameter is 16.5 millimeters.

Poland Coin 20 grosz

The 20 grosz coin appears slightly larger and bulkier compared to the previous ones. Again, the material used for its production is cupronickel, and this coin specifically has a weight of 3.22 grams and a diameter of 18.5 millimeters.

Poland Coin 50 grosz

Finally, regarding the groszy, we have the 50 grosz coin. It is also made entirely of cupronickel and has dimensions that vary significantly compared to the others. In particular, the weight is 3.94 grams while the diameter reaches 20.5 millimeters.

Now we can finally move on to the zloty.

These are the larger coins that are no longer part of the “cent” class but can be classified among the category of main Polish coins.

Polish Coin 1 Zloty

The 1 zloty coin is made of cupronickel and has a net weight of 5 grams with a round diameter of 23 millimeters.

Polish Coin 2 Zloty

Regarding the 2 zloty coin, we are talking about a type of coin made of bimetal. This means that two metals have been fused together for its production. Specifically, cupronickel is used for the inner part, while the outer part is made with an alloy that also includes bronze. The weight is 5.21 grams while the diameter is 21.5 millimeters.

Polish Coin 5 Zloty

Finally, there is the 5 zloty coin, which has the highest nominal value. In this case, we are talking about a coin made again of bimetal but with the colors (and thus also the metals) completely inverted. The inner part is made of an alloy that includes bronze, giving it a golden color, while the outer part is made of cupronickel, which gives the coin a silver color. Regarding the specifications, these coins weigh 6.54 grams and have a diameter of 24 millimeters.

Curiosity about the Polish 5 zloty coin: at first glance, it may resemble the Italian bimetallic 500 lire coin or be mistaken for a 2 euro coin.

As mentioned, the zloty is the traditional currency and coin of Poland which over the years has experienced quite a tumultuous history. Like all nations, there have been several changes before the currency became the official and universally recognized one.

The zloty actually dates back to the Middle Ages during the period between the 14th and 15th centuries.

At that time, the term zloty was used practically for any foreign gold currency used in Poland, particularly the German and Romanian ducats. However, it is clear that in this way Poland did not have a real identity regarding currency, and the situation appeared still too chaotic and confusing from this perspective.

It was precisely for this reason that in 1496 the Parliament approved the creation, finally, of a national currency whose value was set at 30 groshen of Prague, later changed to grosz.

The zloty remained in circulation even after the Partitions of Poland. During that time, the then Duchy of Warsaw began issuing coins in grosz, zloty, and talar, a currency that was equivalent to and valued at 6 zloty. Additionally, coins in thalers were also circulated during that period.

The Warsaw Mint minted zloty coins until 1841. That year, a fixed exchange rate was established between Polish and Russian currencies, specifically 0.15 rubles for 1 zloty.

However, the Polish monetary system was completely banned by the Russians following the failed January Uprising.

Polish coins, in any case, remained in circulation until the beginning of the 20th century, during which the Republic of Kraków began to issue the Kraków zloty.

In 1917, however, it was replaced by the Polish Mark.

The zloty was reintroduced as the National currency by Wladyslaw Grabski in 1924 during the Second Republic of Poland. This occurred in the aftermath of the monetary chaos generated by World War I. This latest Polish currency definitively replaced the Polish Mark at the exchange rate of 1 zloty/ 1,800,000 Marks.

On December 15, 1939, the new Emisyjni Bank was founded by the General Government established by Nazi Germany.

Poland at that time was completely under German rule, which regulated, above all, the production and exchange of currency in the country. In May 1940, the old banknotes from the 1924-1939 period were reprinted, and a policy of control over money exchange from person to person was implemented.

The General Government also minted new coins very similar to those from the previous period, but using less noble metals.

In 1950, a completely new zloty was introduced, which replaced the old currencies at the exchange rate of 1 new zloty for 100 old zlotys.

The year of production and dating of the banknotes was 1948, while for the coins it was 1949.

The initial denominations for the coins were 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groszy and 1 zloty, followed by 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 zlotych. For the banknotes, the denominations were 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 zlotych, with 200 and 2,000 zlotych added in the 1970s, 5,000 zlotych in 1982, and in the 1980s and 1990s, those of 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, and 2,000,000 zloty.

On January 1, 1995, a new currency officially defined as the New Polish Zloty was introduced. The devaluation led to an exchange rate of 10,000 Polish Zloty for 1 New Polish Zloty.

A question that naturally arises after analyzing the specific characteristics and history of the Polish currency is whether the Euro is actually present in Poland and if not, why.

Let’s start by saying that Poland has been an official member of the European Union since January 1, 2004. Despite this, the currency it continues to retain is, as we have seen, the zloty, as it is still considered the National currency/banknote.

But why all this?

The reasons behind this decision are rooted in purely political issues.

The Constitution of Poland indeed, based on its laws, would effectively block the spread of the new single currency, namely the Euro. For Poland to start using the single currency, amendments would need to be made to the Constitution.

Naturally, it is easy to understand that a procedure of such magnitude requires significant technical time, which has led Poland to continue using its own currency to this day.

This issue has been often a subject of discussion and, at present, there is no new information regarding the progress of the procedures. What is certain is that Poland has declared it cannot introduce the Euro before 2019, and it is not even certain that after this date the single currency will actually be put into circulation.

When approaching Numismatics, it is also important to analyze in broad terms what the value of various types of Polish coins has been over the years.

Before taking what has been said as absolute truth, it is necessary to emphasize that the value of a coin varies significantly based on its Condition.

This differs between coins in Uncirculated condition, which are practically perfect, and those in Extremely Fine, Very Fine, and Fine conditions. Therefore, before evaluating a coin, it is advisable to have an analysis performed by a numismatic expert who can attest to the actual Condition.

That said, let’s take a look at some of the rare Polish coins:

2 Zlote 1933

This refers to a Polish coin of 2 Zlote from 1933 made entirely of silver.

The obverse features Hedwig of Poland, also known as “Jadwiga” in her native language. On the reverse, you can see the year of minting and the value of the coin along with the symbol of the Republic.

The current value of this coin is around €8.

5 Zlotych 1933

Another coin minted in Poland in 1933, as indicated by the inscription on the reverse. In this case, it is a coin of 5 Zlotych, also made entirely of silver. Again, the obverse features Hedwig of Poland and the reverse shows the symbol of the Republic.

The value of this coin is €10.

5 Zlotych 1934

This is a coin with a value of 5 Zlotych minted this time in 1934. The appearance is practically identical to the previous one, although on the reverse, you can clearly see the year of minting, the value of the coin, and the symbol of the Republic.

The obverse clearly shows Hedwig of Poland crowned, surrounded by a golden aura. The value of this coin is €15.

10 Zlotych 1936

In this case, the reference piece is a coin of 10 Zlotych made in 1936. The coin is made entirely of silver and the obverse depicts the profile of Jozef Pilsudski, leader of the Polish armed forces in the Second Republic of Poland.

The reverse always features the symbol of the Republic along with the value of the piece.

The current value for this coin is €25.

10,000 Zlotych 1987

Finally, we present a coin of 10,000 Zlotych from 1987. In this case, we are talking about a piece made entirely of silver depicting the figure of John Paul II with the inscription next to the Pope.

On the reverse, the symbol of the Republic is shown along with the value and the year of production of the coin.

The current value of this coin is €30.