500 Zlotys – Poland
Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: Jadwiga (Jadwiga of Anjou)
Poland
Obverse
Description:
The reverse translates the obverse inscription: Jadwiga, crowned Queen of Poland in 1384, married Władysław Jagiełło in 1386, restored Red Ruthenia from Hungary, and died in 1399.
Inscription:
RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA • 500 ZŁ
LUDOVICI FILIA TERTIOGENITA CORONATA IN REGINAM POLONIAE A.D. 1384. D. 15 OCTOB: NUPTA ULADISLAU JAGELLONI 17. FEBRUARI: A.D. 1386. RUSSIAM RUBRAM AB HUNGARIS OCUPATAM POLON: RESTITUIT. OBIIT A.D. 1399. AETAT: 28.
2014
mw
LUDOVICI FILIA TERTIOGENITA CORONATA IN REGINAM POLONIAE A.D. 1384. D. 15 OCTOB: NUPTA ULADISLAU JAGELLONI 17. FEBRUARI: A.D. 1386. RUSSIAM RUBRAM AB HUNGARIS OCUPATAM POLON: RESTITUIT. OBIIT A.D. 1399. AETAT: 28.
2014
mw
Translation:
REPUBLIC OF POLAND • 500 ZŁOTYCH
LUDOVICI'S DAUGHTER, THE THIRD-BORN, CROWNED QUEEN OF POLAND IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1384, OCTOBER 15. MARRIED TO WLADYSLAW JAGELLO ON FEBRUARY 17, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1386. SHE RESTORED TO THE POLES RED RUSSIA, OCCUPIED BY THE HUNGARIANS. SHE DIED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1399, AT THE AGE OF 28.
2014
mw
LUDOVICI'S DAUGHTER, THE THIRD-BORN, CROWNED QUEEN OF POLAND IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1384, OCTOBER 15. MARRIED TO WLADYSLAW JAGELLO ON FEBRUARY 17, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1386. SHE RESTORED TO THE POLES RED RUSSIA, OCCUPIED BY THE HUNGARIANS. SHE DIED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1399, AT THE AGE OF 28.
2014
mw
Script: Latin
Designer: Robert Kotowicz
Reverse
Description:
Jadwiga’s left-profile portrait shows her in a veil, ornamental crown, folded dress, and a double strand pearl necklace.
Inscription:
HEDWIGIS.
H.
H.
Translation:
Hedwigis.
Script: Latin
Language: Latin
Designers: Anna Wątróbska-Wdowiarska, Robert Kotowicz
Edge
Plain with inscription
Legend:
SKARBY STANISŁAWA AUGUSTA * JADWIGA *
Translation:
TREASURES OF STANISLAUS AUGUSTUS * HEDWIG *
Language: Polish
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Mint of Poland | (MW) |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | MW | 750 |
Historical background
In 2014, Poland's currency situation was characterized by a period of significant volatility for the Polish złoty (PLN), driven primarily by external geopolitical shocks. The year began with relative stability, but the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2014 sent shockwaves through Central and Eastern European financial markets. As a neighboring country, Poland was perceived by investors as being exposed to regional instability, leading to capital outflows and sustained pressure on the złoty. The currency weakened notably against both the euro and the US dollar, with market sentiment overshadowing Poland's solid domestic economic fundamentals, which included steady growth and contained inflation.
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) faced a complex policy dilemma. While the weakening złoty boosted export competitiveness, it also raised the risk of imported inflation. The central bank's primary tool, the reference interest rate, was already at a historic low of 2.50% following a series of cuts in 2012-2013 to stimulate growth. Throughout 2014, the NBP held rates steady, opting for verbal interventions and occasional foreign exchange market operations to smooth excessive volatility rather than aggressively defending a specific exchange rate level. Governor Marek Belka emphasized that the bank would not "defend the złoty at all costs," signaling a focus on broader monetary stability.
By the end of 2014, the situation had partially stabilized, though the złoty remained weaker than at the start of the year. The immediate market panic subsided as the direct economic impact of the Ukraine crisis on Poland proved less severe than initially feared, and the European Central Bank's moves toward quantitative easing improved sentiment toward European assets. However, the year underscored the Polish currency's sensitivity to regional geopolitical risks and set the stage for subsequent challenges, including deflationary pressures that would lead the NBP to cut interest rates further in 2015.
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) faced a complex policy dilemma. While the weakening złoty boosted export competitiveness, it also raised the risk of imported inflation. The central bank's primary tool, the reference interest rate, was already at a historic low of 2.50% following a series of cuts in 2012-2013 to stimulate growth. Throughout 2014, the NBP held rates steady, opting for verbal interventions and occasional foreign exchange market operations to smooth excessive volatility rather than aggressively defending a specific exchange rate level. Governor Marek Belka emphasized that the bank would not "defend the złoty at all costs," signaling a focus on broader monetary stability.
By the end of 2014, the situation had partially stabilized, though the złoty remained weaker than at the start of the year. The immediate market panic subsided as the direct economic impact of the Ukraine crisis on Poland proved less severe than initially feared, and the European Central Bank's moves toward quantitative easing improved sentiment toward European assets. However, the year underscored the Polish currency's sensitivity to regional geopolitical risks and set the stage for subsequent challenges, including deflationary pressures that would lead the NBP to cut interest rates further in 2015.
✨ Legendary