At the end of 2025, the IBNS Mosaic Chapter, a regional chapter of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) bringing together collectors and researchers of paper money from dozens of countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, organized an international vote to select the Best Commemorative Banknote issued worldwide in 2025.
The Best Commemorative Banknote 2025 competition was held from December 15 to December 29, 2025, and attracted considerable interest from members of the international numismatic community. Commemorative and collector banknotes issued by the central banks of thirteen countries were nominated for the award: Belarus, Botswana, China, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Turkmenistan.
Among the nominated entries, particular attention was drawn to Poland’s 20-zloty collector banknote, “The Millennium of the Coronation of Bolesław the Brave.” The issue was released by the National Bank of Poland to commemorate the historic milestone of the 1,000th anniversary of the coronation of Poland’s first king. Designed by artist Agnieszka Próchniak, the banknote was issued on November 5, 2025, in a limited print run of 70,000 pieces.
Following the international vote, the Polish issue was selected as the Best Commemorative Banknote of 2025. Voters highly appreciated both the artistic quality of the design and its historical and cultural significance.
In recognition of this achievement, an official IBNS delegation visited the headquarters of the National Bank of Poland in Warsaw on March 26, 2026. The primary purpose of the visit was to present the award confirming the victory of the Polish banknote in the international competition organized by the IBNS Mosaic Chapter.
The visit began at the Sławomir S. Skrzypek Money Centre of the National Bank of Poland, where the delegation was welcomed by NBP Chief Treasurer Barbara Jaroszek. During the meeting, IBNS representatives had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics related to modern banknote production, the development of numismatic programs, and the promotion of monetary history among the general public.
The program continued with a guided tour of the Money Centre. For the members of the delegation, it was a unique opportunity to gain deeper insight into the history of Poland’s monetary system, learn about modern banknote and coin production technologies, and exchange professional views with specialists from the National Bank of Poland.
The highlight of the visit was a meeting with Professor Adam Glapiński, President of the National Bank of Poland. Representatives of the IBNS Mosaic Chapter formally presented the award granted as a result of the international vote, together with copies of specialized numismatic publications — the international IBNS Journal featuring information about the competition and the Polish numismatic magazine “Grosz. The meeting provided an opportunity for an open and engaging discussion on contemporary banknote art, the role of collecting in preserving historical heritage, and international cooperation within the numismatic community.
The IBNS Mosaic Chapter expresses its sincere gratitude to the management and staff of the National Bank of Poland for their warm hospitality, the excellent organization of the visit, and their continued commitment to promoting the art and culture of banknotes. The success of “The Millennium of the Coronation of Bolesław the Brave” serves as a remarkable example of how modern commemorative banknotes can preserve historical memory while earning recognition from collectors around the world.
The official program concluded with an evening walk through the heart of Warsaw and a convivial dinner attended by members of the delegation. As is often the case when collectors meet, the conversation naturally turned to banknotes, collecting experiences, and recent discoveries. The evening offered a valuable opportunity to exchange notes and ideas, reflect on the memorable visit to the National Bank of Poland, and discuss future initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation among collectors and researchers from different countries. It was a fitting end to a day dedicated not only to banknotes, but also to the international friendships they help create.
Images source: NBP, Adam Paradowski, Serhiy Trushyn
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