A beautiful piece with a well-worn edge. The background shows signs of discoloration, and the highest parts of the relief have slight wear.
This denomination was introduced by the reform of January 11, 1924, and coins in this design were struck starting in 1934. Pursuant to the decree of the President of the Republic of Poland dated August 27, 1932, these coins could be used to pay debts up to a maximum of 500 zlotych. The coin remained in circulation until November 1939, when it was withdrawn pursuant to a regulation issued by the General Government.
The coin was minted in Warsaw; the lowest mintage was in 1938 (289,400 pieces). The highest mintage was in 1934, though the exact number is unknown. The State Mint’s reports state only that in 1934, 7,060,000 pieces of three types of five-złoty coins were minted, without specifying how many of each type were produced.
The coin was struck from .750 silver, with a diameter of 28 mm and a standard weight of 11 g.
Obverse: the 1927-style national eagle against a background of rays, with the inscription along the rim:
RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA 5 zlotych 5, with the year beneath the eagle’s tail.
Reverse: a bust of Marshal Piłsudski facing left, with the Kościesze coat of arms—the mark of the State Mint in Warsaw—in front of him. On the shoulder, the designer’s signature:
St Ostrowski.
Edge: serrated
