The 19zł note has been issued to commemorate 100 years since the introduction of Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (PWPW), the Polish security printing works, in 1919. NBP

A collectors’ 19zł banknote has been issued by the National Bank of Poland to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW).

The note, which is available for 85zł, is adorned with the face of the Prime Minister of the day Ignacy Jan Paderewski and also features a watermark of the eagle found on the first banknote produced by PWPW in 1920.

The portrait of Ignacy Jan Paderewski used on the note was from a steel engraving created by Krystian Michalczuk with the design of the rest of the note made by Justyna Kopecka.

To the left of the portrait, there is an image of the White Eagle Order, Poland’s highest order, of which Paderewski was a recipient.

The PWPW logo changes colour from maroon to purple depending on the angle of observation while the vertical strip, which is formed by the repetitive ‘19’ and the abbreviation ‘NBP’ (National Bank of Poland) are visible in UV light.NBP

The note, the first ever 19zł banknote produced in Poland, also features the inscription ‘independence’, in the handwriting of Józef Piłsudski.

In another first for Polish banknotes, a holographic stripe with the image of an eagle, visible in a window was used in the paper substrate.

Banknote designer Justyna Kopecka said: 'We start the design process with collecting materials. We need to learn as much as possible about the banknote, we collect photographs, search the Internet, go to libraries, look for inspiration from the environment.'TVP1

The laurel branch visible in the lower left corner uses the ‘Umbra4Note’ protection technology developed by PWPW.

The other side of the 19zł note shows the building of the Polish Security Printing Works with contemporary Warsaw shown in the background.

The back of the 19zł note shows the building of the Polish Security Printing Works with contemporary Warsaw shown in the background. NBP

The PWPW logo changes colour from maroon to purple depending on the angle of observation while the vertical strip, which is formed by the repetitive ‘19’ and the abbreviation ‘NBP’ (National Bank of Poland) are visible in UV light.

Banknote designer Justyna Kopecka said: “We start the design process with collecting materials. We always read a lot.

The note which is adorned with the face of the Prime Minister of the day Ignacy Jan Paderewski, also features a watermark of the eagle found on the first banknote produced by PWPW in 1920.NBP

“We need to learn as much as possible about the banknote, we collect photographs, search the Internet, go to libraries, look for inspiration from the environment.

Paderewski was not only a politician but by training he was a pianist and composer, graduating from the Music Institute. CAF/PAP

“This is the same creative process as any other design.

“The design of banknotes is, however, specific because it takes into account the complex technology of making banknotes.”

Paderewski was not only a politician but by training he was a pianist and composer, graduating from the Music Institute.

The collector’s banknote uses ‘Umbra4Note’ protection technology developed by PWPW. NBP

His work, ‘Manru’ is the only opera composed by a Pole to have been performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Paderewski also featured on the 2 million PLN banknote that circulated in Poland between 1992 and 1994.

The National Bank of Poland said that only 55,000 of the notes have been printed.