The new 200 zloty banknote put into circulation | |
(12-02-2016) |
![Share on Twitter twitter](/images/pup_tw.png)
![Share on LinkedIn linkedin](/images/pup_in.png)
![Share on Facebook facebook](/images/pup_fb.png)
![Share on Google+ google](/images/pup_gog.png)
![Print page print](/images/pup_print.png)
The 200 zloty banknote modernized by the Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW) has been put into circulation today. Currently the highest denomination banknote has retained its original graphic design and colours, but was provided with better security features. Improvements were also made to facilitate the "reading" of the banknote value by the blind.
This is the symbolic end of the modernization process of banknotes that were put into circulation in 1995. As in the case of lower denomination banknotes in the "Rulers of Poland" series, modernization was aimed to introduce modern security features preventing counterfeiting and forgery and better adapt the banknotes to the requirements of professional participants in cash trading. The task was extremely difficult as it required that new innovative security features are introduced to the project made two decades before. In a record time, specialists of the Polish Security Printing Works managed to prepare an offer of new security features, create graphic design of a modernized banknote, test the new security features, execute production models and launch the pilot production.
In the modernized banknote, new security features such as a wide optically variable window thread or Spark® security feature, consisting in a smooth change of colour depending on the viewing angle, are visible at a first glance. In both of these elements, when changing the viewing angle, the colour changes smoothly from golden to green, and the pattern in the form of a checkerboard "moves" in both planes. Other changes will be definitely appreciated by the blind. As in the modernized lower denomination banknotes, the security feature in the form of a geometric figure (a triangle on the 200 zloty banknote) took the form of small wheels easily identifiable to the touch. After consultation with the Polish Blind Association, a new security feature was added to the 200 zloty banknote in the form of a set of diagonal lines felt by the touch.
As in the case of the modernized lower denomination banknotes, the watermark field has been exposed, a sign presenting the banknote in the form of a filigree (with increased brightness) has been added, and the recto-verso security feature has been changed in such a way that the graphic elements on the front and on the reverse side of the banknote when held up to the light form a clear image of a crown. Additional security features were introduced on the reverse side: the so-called iridescent stripe (golden, opalescent ornamental visible when the banknote is tilted) and numerical designation of the banknote value ("200") and an ornamental pattern beneath it, printed in golden paint.
Also machine-readable security features, verified by both cash-accepting devices and sorting devices for banknotes withdrawn from circulation, have undergone substantial changes. The 200 zloty banknote was designed in the early 1990s, when cash transactions were completely different from today’s practice. Practically no cash-handling equipment was used, and the sorting of banknotes by machines was rare. Also other counterfeiting methods were used because high quality copying or scanning devices were not widely spread. The launch of the new 200 zloty banknote was a gradual process. All banknotes put into circulation before remain the legal tender in Poland for an indefinite period of time. Banknotes that are damaged and worn out are gradually withdrawn from circulation by the National Bank of Poland and destroyed and replaced with banknotes from the modernized issue.