A very interesting coin, much rarer than the typical cash designs of the period, or the 500-zloty coins of this series without overprint.
"I" is a series of five-hundred-zloty banknotes, which after the 1946 issue was withdrawn from circulation (and replaced by the 1948 issue) was probably left in bank stocks as an unused, so-called remainder.
This series appears in the NBP's 1944-1948 commemorative banknote books, and for the 500 zloty denomination is a basic, albeit rare and prized, series obtainable in excellent uncirculated condition. These are banknotes with a series number starting with 9778.... like the present piece at auction.
The present one was additionally overprinted SPECIMEN in the era, as evidenced by its typeface - exactly the same as on the acceptance patterns.
In our opinion, this is an item that can be treated as a collector's model, analogous to later issues such as the 20 zloty 1948 KE, 100 zloty 1948 KR, etc.
A very rare, beautifully preserved piece.
