100 złoty
Characteristics of the 100 złoty banknoteCharacteristics of the 100 złoty banknote
Description of modernised 100 złoty banknote
The 100 złoty banknote features a portrait of King Ladislas II Jagiello. In the background, on both sides, there are stylised elements of Gothic ornamentation.
The reverse side features the White Eagle on the escutcheon from the tombstone of the King. Below the shield, there are the following: a helmet, a Teutonic coat and two swords that refer to the victorious battle of Grunwald fought in 1410. On the left-hand side of the shield there is an outline of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork.
Characteristic elements of the modernised banknote:
- banknote size: 138 x 69 mm,
- Watermark showing value numeral may be seen against the light in the field free from print (1),
- Rosette, smoothly changing colour from gold to green (3),
- In an oval – a crown, the complete image of which can be seen when the banknote is held against the light (4),
- Face value, portrait of the sovereign, emblem of the Republic of Poland and the signatures of the NBP Governor and the NBP General Treasurer are in raised print that is easy to feel, also for the visually impaired.
Watermark
When you examine the banknote against the light the watermark depicting the sovereign and the value numeral “100” can be seen.
The watermark field is free from print.
Security thread
When you hold a banknote against the light, a dark vertical line with the value numeral “100” and the currency abbreviation “ZŁ” is visible. Both features are legible in a mirror as well. The typeface of the microlettering has been modified. The security thread has been incorporated in the paper substrate.
A rosette changing colour (colour-shifting ink)
As the angle at which you look at the banknote changes, the colour of the rosette smoothly changes from gold to green.
See-through register (recto-verso)
When the banknote is held against the light, the elements of the graphic design seen combine perfectly to form a complete image – a crown in an oval
Latent image
Depending on the angle that the note is held at, a crown or value numeral “100” appears in a single latent image to the right of the portrait of the sovereign, whereas to the left of the portrait – the face value of the banknote in words and as a numeral, with acronym NBP in between.
Microlettering
Tiny inscriptions made with high precision in offset or intaglio printing techniques. The smallest inscription on the banknote should be sharp and readable when magnified.
Banknote under UV-light
A square with value numeral “100” and symbol “ZŁ”, the banknote serial number and other selected elements appear under UV light.
Description of 100 złoty banknote (previous issuance)
Format: 138 × 69 mm
Paper: white
Security features:
- watermark
portrait of King Ladislaus II Jagiello - security thread
on left-hand side of note, with repeated inscription comprising denomination, “100 ZŁ”, and its mirror image - microlettering
front: repeated vertical inscription, “RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA”, to right of watermark; repeated letters “RP” within separate field in background of number “100” on top right-hand side, with repeated inscription, “RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA”, above field
back: repeated inscription, “NARODOWY BANK POLSKI”, above and below depiction of eagle, in semicircles separated by lines, and repeated inscription, “RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA”, above lower field giving note’s denomination in numbers and words - fluorescence under UV light
front: square with inscription, “100 ZŁ”, in top left-hand corner, metallised ink in bottom right-hand corner in separate window, and fragments of guilloche background on right-hand side and in centre of note (all in willow green); serial number printed vertically in orange on right of note
back: fragments of guilloche ribbons, semicircular microlettering in upper and lower parts of note, two symmetrically aligned windows at top and bottom of note, and fragments of composition of guilloche lines making up repeated number “100” on left- and right-hand sides (all in yellow) - gold metallic overcoating
on front of note, within rosette to left of portrait - see-through register (recto-verso)
a crown in an oval next to the value numeral printed on both sides of the banknote as a combined image obtained when the banknotes are held against the light - latent image (angle effect)
crown in oval or number “100” become visible on front of note, in separate field on lower right-hand side, depending on angle of vision - metallised ink
on front of note, green and olive green colours in separate field in bottom right-hand corner - optically variable ink
on front of note, to right of portrait, rosette below crown changes colour from pink to olive-green depending on angle of vision
Serial number:
two upper-case letters and seven digits on front of note, printed horizontally in black on lower left-hand side and vertically in red on right-hand side
Predominant colours:
- front – green, olive green, light violet, blue
- back – dark green, olive green, brown, orange
Front design:
Portrait of King Ladislaus II Jagiello in centre area, with inscription, “WŁADYSŁAW II JAGIEŁŁO”, in decorative medallion. Left of portrait – at top, depiction of eagle, emblem of Polish Republic, and inscription, “NARODOWY BANK POLSKI”; below that – decorative rosette; below that – inscription, “WARSZAWA 25 MARCA 1994 r.”; below that – inscription, “PREZES”, and signature; below that – inscription, “GŁÓWNY SKARBNIK”, and signature. In background of inscriptions and emblem – stylised elements of Gothic ornamentation. On left-hand side of note, in area of watermark – composition of guilloche lines. In top left-hand corner, arranged vertically – number “100”, with line underneath and inscription below, “STO ZŁOTYCH”. In bottom left-hand corner – marking for the visually impaired, consisting of raised symmetrical cross. Right-hand side of note contains two separate fields, upper and lower. Upper field bears number “100”, with drawing of crown in oval below and four “100”s around crown, and rosette underneath against background of Gothic ornamentation. Number “100” in top left-hand corner, line below that, marking for the visually impaired and upper right-hand field are all filled with white ornamentation. Background of note consists of guilloche mesh with intersecting lines of green, light green, olive green, blue and violet.
Back design:
Depiction of shield bearing eagle from tombstone of Ladislaus II Jagiello in centre area, with Teutonic Knight’s helmet and cape, and two swords, at foot of shield. At top – inscription, “NARODOWY BANK POLSKI”. Below shield – rectangular field of ornamentation bearing number “100” to left and inscription, “STO ZŁOTYCH”, to right. To left of eagle, on decorative guilloche ribbon – drawing of crown in oval and four “100”s around crown, with outline below of castle of Teutonic Knights at Malbork. On right-hand side – at top, decorative guilloche ribbon ending underneath in rosette, with legend below, “BANKNOTY EMITOWANE PRZEZ NARODOWY BANK POLSKI SĄ PRAWNYM ŚRODKIEM PŁATNICZYM W POLSCE”. In top right-hand corner – number “100” filled with white ornamentation, and in bottom corner – initials “NBP”. To left and right of eagle, background consists of composition of guilloche lines making up repeated number “100”. Area of watermark and margins printed with composition of guilloche lines.