The best banknote award was made to Poland’s Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP), which issued a new high denomination 500 złoty banknote to circulate alongside the existing 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zloty denominations. The new banknote was issued on 10th February 2017.

The new denomination is to ensure the uninterrupted circulation of cash within the country, due in part to the growing demand for high value notes within Poland. The Bank also anticipates that the new note will help to reduce costs related to issuing currency.

The 500 złoty banknote has a blue, brown, burgundy and green colour scheme and includes a portrait of King John III Sobieski, continuing the banknote series theme of ‘Rulers of Poland’.

There are a number of modern security features embedded into the note, which in addition to their high technological quality ensure easy identification of the banknotes.

The banknote incorporates SICPA’s SPARK® Live optically variable ink feature in the shape of a soldier’s helmet shown on the front of the banknote, along with Louisenthal’s RollingStar® windowed security thread, which displays dynamic effects and changes from green to blue when the banknote is tilted. The new note also includes a ‘tactile’ feature to assist people with vision impairments.

The new 500 zloty banknote was designed by Andrzej Heidrich and produced by Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW).