500 gold 1794 - low number 33 - filigree [J HONIG & Z]OONEN - huge RARE

A natural, well-presented piece of the rare Insurrection 500.

This is already a denomination outside the pool of those available in regular trade!

This is the smallest-issued banknote among all the denominations of the Kosciuszko Insurrection, and perhaps the smallest among all Polish circulating banknotes. Its denomination correlated mintage is only 500 pieces. The next most outspent denomination in terms of circulation, the PLN 1,000 note (also practically uncommon in current trade), was issued in the amount of 1,000 pieces, and the circulation of the subsequent Insurrection denominations already goes into the tens of thousands. An exception in terms of rarity is still the 1 zloty 1794, but for other reasons. This is a denomination that practically did not enter circulation, as it was issued a day before the collapse of the Insurrection. More general information about Insurrection banknotes in the video.

Due to their rarity, occasional Insurrection 500s always fetch very high prices at auction. The only 2 pieces present in our archive are respectively 122,500 zloty for a banknote preserved in st.6 and 210,000 zloty for st.4+

The offered piece is in natural condition, without any conservation corrections. It has a dark glue mark on the upper margin on the reverse side, left from earlier storage. The glue, although clear and dark, is unsoaked on the obverse. Only a local tape mark on the left margin is soaked through.

Edges with quite a few tears, but not deep; most do not reach the frame, only some enter it. Of the side ones none go beyond the frame into the main field of the bill. The only larger tear is at the top, from the left side and about 5 mm below the top edge. It is about 14 mm deep, unfixed, probably caused by inattention when peeling off the bill.

Folds a lot, but they are without strong abrasions on the ridges. Dry seal flattened, but visible on both sides. On the right edge of the bill, the edge of some ink stamp is reflected.

Paper in good condition. Overall presentation of the bill good, relating this especially to its rarity and to the condition of other pieces known on the market. A great asset is its full naturalness, with no preservation and no loss of original features.

Piece with a piece of inscribed filigree in paper. Visible [Z]OONEN from the name of the J HONIG & ZOONEN paper mill.

Two-digit and lowest currently known number: 33.

Definitely recommended for advanced collectors to complete their collection with a denomination that only a few collections can boast of having.