Poland : Currency - Zloty

Couple of years back when I went to post office to send a letter to Poland, the person at the counter asked me if ‘Poland’ is a country and where it is. I was very surprised but I patiently explained him.

I am sure many of you might not have much information about this country and here is my attempt to introduce to you a nation with a very rich and great history.

Poland is a Central European nation having borders with Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Lithuania. It has a population of over 38 million, which is less than half of my home state Andhra Pradesh (India) population. Złoty is currency of Poland.

Establishment of Polish state is believed to have begun with the adaption of Christianity in 966 A.D. Kingdom of Poland formed Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569 by a treaty with rulers of Lithuania, became Polish Republic. Their commonwealth survived till 1795 until Kingdom of Prussia, the Russian Empire & Austria attacked, partitioned & eliminated the sovereign state Poland. After 123 years, Poland regained its sovereignty in 1918 by a revolution. After 20 years, Nazi Germany & Soviet Union invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War 2. Poland lost over 5 million people in war & many more in subsequent homicide of Jews by Nazis. Red Army was able to defeat Nazi’s and set up a communist rule in 1944. In 1980, Lech Walesa, a union leader started ‘Solidarity Movement’ a revolution against the communists, successfully over threw their rule in 1989 & democratic rule was re-established. Even though Poland was vastly destroyed in World War2, they managed to rebuild their country and were able to achieve huge development since then.

Poland was repeatedly attacked by neighbouring countries, lost its sovereignty but they never gave up and I truly admire their spirit.

Some interesting facts about Poland

·          Constitution of May 3, 1791 is considered as the 2^nd oldest constitution in modern history. It was in effect for only a year, until the Polish–Russian War of 1792.

·          Poland has 12 Nobel awards (11 Laureates). Marie-Curie won 2 Nobels.

·          Poland has 13 UNESCO Heritage sites

·          Polish Army salutes with only 2 fingers.

·          Poland was the first country to produce Vodka

·          Poland’s official language is considered one of the toughest languages to learn. For eg: Number 2- ‘dwa’ can be written in 17 ways.

·          90% of poles complete the secondary school education

Famous people from Poland

·          Nicolaus Copernicus, in 1543 proved that Earth revolves around Sun.

·          Frédéric Chopin, He is considered by many to be the greatest piano music composer.

·          Joseph Babinski, the famous neurologist is from Polish descent.

·          Holy Father Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla)

·          Marie Skłodowska-Curie: Discoverer of 'polonuim','radium'. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the only woman to date to win in two fields, and the only person to win in multiple sciences.

·          Casimir Funk: A biochemist who is generally credited with the first formulation of concept of vitamins in 1912

·          Napoleon Cybulski: The discoverer of adrenaline, he was the first to isolate and identify the substance in 1895.

·          Casimir Zeglen invented bullet proof vest.

"Witam wszystkich Polaków, ten post jest rezultatem mojego zainteresowania i dużego szacunku wobec historii i kultury waszego kraju.Mam nadzieję, że nie popełniłem błędów w informacjach, które zamieściłem poniżej. Proszę dajcie znać czy wam się to podoba i jeśli to możliwe podzielcie się z tym ze swoimi przyjaciółmi"

Let’s look at the polish notes


Poland 10 & 20 Zloty Notes:

 

Mieszko I


He was the duke of Polans between 930 to 992 A.D. Being a Pagan by birth, he adapted Christianity in 966 making it the traditional year of origin of Polish state. 

Bolesław I Chrobry


He is the son of the Mieszko I (above) & the first King of Poland. Played a crucial role in establishing Kingdom of Poland, thus reducing dependency on German Empire. He was coronated as a King in 1025 A.D & died just 2 months later. 


If you are interested in getting to know 'Why Mieszko I is not a king & just a duke'? Answer is at the bottom of the post. 

Mieszko Denar (Silver Denar) 


One of the silver coin during Mieszko's rule. 

Chrobry Denar


One of the Silver coin during Bolesław I Chrobry's rule

Dziesięć means 'TEN' & Złotych is their currency

Dwadzieścia means 'Twenty'

Coat of Arms / National Emblem of Poland


A white eagle with golden beak and a crown, looking to its right. 

Translation "The banknotes emitted/produced by the National Bank of Poland are a legal currency in Poland."

Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP; the National Bank of Poland) is the central bank of Poland. It controls the issuing of Poland's currency, the złoty. It also represents Poland in the European System of Central Banks, an EU organization.

WARSZAWA (Warsaw) is the capital of Poland. 


Signatures of Poland National Bank's President & Treasurer. 
















Q) Why Mieszko I is not a king & just a duke? Why did he adapted Christianity?
Q) Why Bolesław I Chrobry is famous? How the 'Kingdom of Poland' was formed?


Mieszko was a born Pagan. But he adapted Christianity in 966 because Christianity was on rise in europe. Pope & Church were ruling the europe and dukes were representatives of a church. To become a king & create a kingdom, Coronation by Pope is required. it never happened during the times of Mieszko. Thus he remained Duke all his life but indirectly the creator of polish kingdom.


Bolesław I Chrobry is the son of Mieszko. He was a duke for 33 years till 1025. German Emperor Otton III was very much impressed with Chrobry. He recommended Pope to coronate Chrobry as a king. Following the death of Otton III in 1002, his successor Henry II opposed kingdom of Poland. Chrobry waged successful war against Henry II who was killed in 1024. Finally in 1025, Chrobry was coronated, hence the Kingdom of Poland was formed, which in turn removed the dependency on German Empire.


*This is my own research and is not copied from anywhere.
*Thanks to all those friends who supported and helped me in preparing this data