The Polish collector banknote with a face value of 20 Zlotys, dedicated to the millennium of the coronation of Bolesław I the Brave, has been recognized as the best commemorative banknote of the year by the international IBNS Mosaic Chapter competition. The results were announced following the conclusion of the voting process. This victory underscores the high level of design and historical significance of the National Bank of Poland (NBP) issue. The "Best Commemorative Banknote" competition, organized by the IBNS Mosaic Chapter regional branch, featured 13 nominees from around the world. Voting was conducted online on the Mosaic Chapter website and focused exclusively on commemorative issues. Winner: Poland, 20 Zlotys "Millennium of the Coronation of Bolesław I the Brave" (collector issue, mintage 70,000 pieces). Characteristics: Hybrid paper, size 170 × 85 mm, design by Agnieszka Próchniak, printed by Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych.
Obverse: Portrait of Bolesław the Brave based on graphics by Rudolf Friedrich Friedlein (inspired by a painting by Marcello Bacciarelli). A gold/silver security strip with a fragment of the Gniezno Doors border, denomination "20", year "1025", and the inscription "TYSIĄCLECIE KORONACJI BOLESŁAWA CHROBREGO". Watermark — a fragment of the Gniezno Doors + "1025". UV protection: scenes from the doors and a "Princes Polonie" coin.
Reverse (vertical): Three panels of the Gniezno Doors, the obverse/reverse of a Bolesław coin, and the Spear of Saint Maurice (a symbol of sovereignty from Otto III). A crown-shaped window (gold/blue in transmitted light), microtext — the epitaph from the king's sarcophagus: "Inclyte dux tibi laus strenue Boleslae / Illustrious leader, glory to you, brave Bolesław."
The banknote commemorates the coronation — a key moment when Poland joined the circle of European Christian kingdoms. Bolesław the Brave strengthened the state, held the Congress of Gniezno, and received regalia from Emperor Otto III. This emission complements NBP coins and postage stamps for the millennium. Competition participants praised the Polish banknote for its innovative design (crown window, recto-verso elements, UV effects), historical depth, and advanced anti-counterfeiting features. "This banknote is a masterpiece that combines a thousand years of Polish statehood with modern technology." The victory of the Polish issue is a source of pride for numismatists and collectors. The IBNS Mosaic competition promotes the diversity of commemorative issues, where countries mark anniversaries through the art of banknote design.
Vitalii Cherniuk (IBNS 13299-R) - CEO World Banknote Store
