Logo Title
obverse
reverse
Narodowy Bank Polski

50 Zlotys – Poland

Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: Zygmunt III Waza (Sigismund Vasa)
Poland
Context
Year: 2020
Issuer: Poland Issuer flag
Period:
(since 1989)
Currency:
(since 1995)
Total mintage: 5,000
Material
Diameter: 45 mm
Weight: 62.2 g
Silver weight: 62.14 g
Shape: Round
Composition: 99.9% Silver
Magnetic: No
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
Obverse
OBVERSE ↑
flip
Reverse
REVERSE ↑
References
Numista: #192180
Value
Exchange value: 50 PLN = $13.99
Bullion value: $173.11
Inflation-adjusted value: 73.72 PLN

Obverse

Inscription:
RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA • 50 ZŁ

20 20

mw

JOANNIS REG: SVECLAE FILIUS, SIGISMUNDI I.JAGEL:EX MATRE CATHARINA NEPOS, ELECT: A.D.1587. D.19.AUG: CAP= TO SCEPTRI AEMULO MAXIMIL: AUSTRIO CORON: 27.DEC: SVEC: REG= NUM AMISIT OB FIDEM CATHOLICĀ CONSTANTER PROFESSAM, E JU S AU SPICIIS VICINI POLON: HOSTES SAEPE PROFLIGATI, SMOLENSCUM AB IPSOMET CAPTUM, CŪ TURCIS DECORA PAX ARMIS PARTA CIVILES MOTUS COMPRESSI OBIIT VARSAVIAE IN ARCE, QUAM INSTAURAVIT
Translation:
REPUBLIC OF POLAND • 50 ZŁOTYCH

20 20

mw

John, son of the King of Sweden, grandson of Sigismund I Jagiellon by his mother Catherine, elected on August 19, 1587. He captured the scepter from his rival Maximilian of Austria, crowned on December 27. He lost the Swedish kingdom because of his constant profession of the Catholic faith. Under his auspices, the neighboring enemies of Poland were often routed, Smolensk was captured by himself, an honorable peace with the Turks was obtained by arms, civil unrest was suppressed. He died in the Warsaw castle, which he had restored.
Script: Latin
Languages: Latin, Polish
Designer: Robert Kotowicz

Reverse

Inscription:
SIGISMUN DUS III.

I · I · REICHEL · F ·
Script: Latin

Edge

Plain with inspription
Legend:
SKARBY STANISŁAWA AUGUSTA *
ZYGMUNT III WAZA *
Translation:
Treasures of Stanisław August *
Zygmunt III Vasa *
Language: Polish

Mints

NameMark
Mint of Poland(MW)

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
2020MW5,000

Historical background

In 2020, the Polish złoty (PLN) experienced significant volatility, primarily driven by the global economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial phase of the crisis in March saw a classic "dash for cash," with investors fleeing emerging market currencies for the safety of the US dollar. This led to a sharp depreciation of the złoty, which weakened to nearly 4.70 against the euro and over 4.30 against the US dollar, levels not seen in many years. The currency's fall was exacerbated by a sudden drop in economic activity, concerns over the health of the Polish economy, and global risk aversion.

The situation was stabilized by decisive interventions from Polish institutions. The National Bank of Poland (NBP) played a crucial role, implementing a series of interest rate cuts (bringing the reference rate to a historic low of 0.1% by May) and launching a large-scale quantitative easing program to provide liquidity and support the government's fiscal measures. Furthermore, the central bank conducted direct foreign exchange interventions, selling reserves to support the złoty. These actions, combined with a massive government fiscal package ("Anti-Crisis Shield") and the gradual reopening of the economy, helped restore confidence and triggered a recovery in the currency through the second half of the year.

By the end of 2020, the złoty had recouped most of its early losses, emerging as one of the region's more resilient currencies. This recovery was supported by the relatively contained economic contraction compared to Western Europe, the scale of domestic policy support, and the inflow of EU recovery funds. However, the year highlighted the złoty's sensitivity to global risk sentiment and set the stage for future challenges, including rising inflation, which would become the dominant concern for the central bank in the following years.

Series: Treasures of King Stanislaw August

500 Zlotys obverse
500 Zlotys reverse
500 Zlotys
2018
50 Zlotys obverse
50 Zlotys reverse
50 Zlotys
2019
500 Zlotys obverse
500 Zlotys reverse
500 Zlotys
2019
50 Zlotys obverse
50 Zlotys reverse
50 Zlotys
2020
500 Zlotys obverse
500 Zlotys reverse
500 Zlotys
2020
500 Zlotys obverse
500 Zlotys reverse
500 Zlotys
2020
50 Zlotys obverse
50 Zlotys reverse
50 Zlotys
2020
Legendary