20 zlotych banknote , 1919, "WZÓR," series: A.12 —design issue number: 0298
The design was originally intended for foreign cash registers, featuring the raised lettering "WZOR" without a period after the "R," however, it was adapted to domestic cash registers in accordance with the standards of the Second Polish Republic by adding four perforations and printing the proof issue number, making it a unique “HYBRID” version of the proof.
The banknote features a diagonal “WZOR” overprint on both sides between two parallel lines—the so-called raised “WZOR” overprint (18 mm), without a period after the last letter “R,” and with the text “Bez wartości” printed twice on each side of the banknote—all text in red. Serial number: 024698; printed issue number: 0298; the banknote is perforated 4 times.
A variant of this series’ design (A. 12), featuring characteristics such as perforations along with the design’s print run number, is known from records of only 4 different pieces (out of 31 known designs in total); one of them is featured in this auction. This is by far the rarest type of the 1919 20 zlotych design.*
The condition is near-mint, which is rare for perforated designs; there are only slight bends in the paper along the side margins, with no breaks in the paper’s structure. The banknote is in its natural state, with the ribbed texture of the paper’s surface preserved.
The piece is protected by GDA grading; however, it has not been assigned a condition grade. The owner of the collection in which this banknote was previously held was aware of its condition; the banknote was sent for grading solely to protect it from external factors.
References: Miłczak 51Wd
*The numbers of known pieces of these designs are based on Michał Biskup’s study “Banknotes: My Passion,” Issue No. III, Kielce 2025
