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Front: Mieszko I (935-992), Duke of Poland

Mieszko I was the first historically known Piast duke of the Polans, who gave their name to the country that would later be called "Poland." Mieszko was not the Duke's actual name but was given to him later.

His reign began around 962 in Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), Kuyavia (Kujawy), Masovia (Mazowsze) and possibly in eastern Pomerania. In the 960s he probably at least partially conquered western Pomerania, and in the 990's he conquered Silesia (Slask) and Little Poland (Malopolska).

In 981 Mieszko I lost the land known only as Grody Czerwienskie to Vladimir I, prince of Kiev. In 986, upon the death of emperor Otto II, he pledged allegiance to the Emperor Otto III, and helped him with wars with the Polabians. Shortly before his death he placed his state under the suzerainty of the Pope in a document usually called the Dagome Iudex.

Back: Medieval denar of Mieszko

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Front: Boleslaw I the Brave (966 or 967-1025), King of Poland

Boleslaw I was the son of Mieszko I and the Czech princess Dobrawa.

Boleslaw was the first Polish king, since it was during his reign that Poland became a kingdom, despite the fact that some Polish rulers before 1295 would never receive a crown. He was the first Polish ruler baptised at birth, the first real Christian ruler of Poland. He founded the independent Polish province of the Church and made Poland a strong power in Europe. Boleslaw for the first time unified all the provinces that subsequently came to comprise the traditional territory of Poland: Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, Masovia, Silesia and Pomerania

Back: Medieval denar of Boleslaw I

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Front: Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), holding his crucifix-topped staff against a background of the world map, symbolising the universal nature of his pontificate

Born Karol Józef Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul was elected the only Polish Pope in Vatican's history on October 16, 1978 and reigned for more than 26 years. His early reign was marked by his opposition to communism, and he is often credited as one of the forces which contributed to its collapse in Eastern Europe.

Back: Inauguration of John Paul II with Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski (1901-1981), the legendary Primate of the Millenium, the leader of the Catholic Church in the then still Communist Poland.

The National Bank of Poland issued the notes to collectors at 90 Zlotych, eventhough the face value is only 50 Zlotych.

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Juliusz Slowacki (1809-1849), Polish romantic poet

Front: Slowacki portrait with Palace in Krzemieniec (in the background) which is currently used as the museum of Juliusz Slowacki

Back: Monument of King Zygmunt III Waza in Warsaw, flying cranes and reproduction of original writing of autographed script "Uspokojenie