The back side of the banknote is dominated by the Polish national colours and the eagle of the Polish Legions, holding in its claws a pelta shield with the letter “S” for “strzelcy” (riflemen). Around it there is an inscription: RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA (THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND). This is a reference to the commemorative coins with face values of 5 and 10 złoty, which were minted in 1934 on the 20th anniversary of the march out of the First Cadre Company and which were designed by the sculptor Stanisław Kazimierz Ostrowski.

Piłsudski launched vigorous efforts aimed at organizing the government and the army. As the commander-in-chief of the Polish army, on 16 November he notified the governments of world powers of the rebirth of an independent, sovereign and democratic Poland. It is precisely the fragments of this diplomatic note that appear on the front side of the banknote, alongside the portrait of Piłsudski in the uniform of the Polish Legions. Another reference to the theme of the Polish Legions is the commemorative badge of the 1st Brigade of the Polish Legions and the badge of the Polish Military Organization, which played a great role in the effort to seize control over the country and in the consolidation of its external borders. Narodowy Bank Polski ul. Świętokrzyska 11/21 00–919 Warszawa tel. 22 185 10 00 e-mail: listy@nbp.pl NarodowyBankPolski NBPtv @nbppl Apart from the abbreviated names of the organizations, both badges also bear Józef Piłsudski’s initials – JP. The front side of the banknote also includes a schematic image of the Order of Polonia Restituta badge with the engraved date 1918, as well as the inscription “niepodległa” (independent), reproduced from Piłsudski’s manuscript. It also serves as the logo of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence.

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  Independence

  2018-08-31, National Bank of Poland