500 Zlotys – Poland
Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: Zygmunt III Waza (Sigismund Vasa)
Poland
Obverse
Inscription:
RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA • 500 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
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:
COMMONWEALTH OF POLAND • 500 ZŁ
20 20
mw
JOANNIS, KING OF SWEDEN'S SON, OF SIGISMUND I JAGELLO GRANDSON THROUGH MOTHER CATHERINA, ELECTED A.D.1587. 19 AUG: RIVAL FOR THE SCEPTRE MAXIMILIAN OF AUSTRIA DEFEATED, CROWNED 27 DEC: THE SWEDISH KINGDOM HE LOST FOR THE CATHOLIC FAITH CONSTANTLY PROFESSED, UNDER HIS AUSPICES THE NEIGHBORING POLISH ENEMIES OFTEN ROUTED, SMOLENSK BY HIMSELF CAPTURED, WITH THE TURKS AN HONORABLE PEACE BY ARMS OBTAINED, CIVIL DISTURBANCES SUPPRESSED, DIED AT WARSAW IN THE CASTLE, WHICH HE RESTORED
20 20
mw
JOANNIS, KING OF SWEDEN'S SON, OF SIGISMUND I JAGELLO GRANDSON THROUGH MOTHER CATHERINA, ELECTED A.D.1587. 19 AUG: RIVAL FOR THE SCEPTRE MAXIMILIAN OF AUSTRIA DEFEATED, CROWNED 27 DEC: THE SWEDISH KINGDOM HE LOST FOR THE CATHOLIC FAITH CONSTANTLY PROFESSED, UNDER HIS AUSPICES THE NEIGHBORING POLISH ENEMIES OFTEN ROUTED, SMOLENSK BY HIMSELF CAPTURED, WITH THE TURKS AN HONORABLE PEACE BY ARMS OBTAINED, CIVIL DISTURBANCES SUPPRESSED, DIED AT WARSAW IN THE CASTLE, WHICH HE RESTORED
Script: Latin
Designer: Robert Kotowicz
Reverse
Inscription:
SIGISMUN DUS III.
I · I · REICHEL · F ·
I · I · REICHEL · F ·
Script: Latin
Designers: Anna Wątróbska-Wdowiarska, Robert Kotowicz
Edge
Plain with inspription
Legend:
SKARBY STANISŁAWA AUGUSTA *
ZYGMUNT III WAZA *
ZYGMUNT III WAZA *
Translation:
TREASURES OF STANISLAUS AUGUSTUS *
SIGISMUND III VASA *
SIGISMUND III VASA *
Language: Polish
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Mint of Poland | (MW) |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | MW | 600 |
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.
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.
✨ Legendary