The banknote issue refers to the “From the Past into the Future. A Gallery of Kings and Dukes on Koleje Dolnośląskie Trains” project, which the carrier launched in June 2023. The initiative involves displaying likenesses of Polish rulers, including Mieszko I, Bolesław the Brave and St. Jadwiga of Silesia, on 31 vehicles belonging to the carrier. The full list is available on the 15 lat KD website. Eight trains bearing Piast rulers as patrons are already running on Lower Silesian tracks.
The project is based on black-and-white drawings by Aleksander Lesser, a Polish painter and art critic who immortalised 43 Polish kings and rulers as part of the series. The graphic reinterpretation of Lesser’s works was prepared by Legnica artist Piotr Wajs. He created modernised likenesses inspired by the tradition of comic-book animation, which has made the project particularly popular among children and young people.
– The collection of commemorative zero-euro banknotes is an additional element intended to promote both Koleje Dolnośląskie and the “From the Past into the Future” project. Two banknotes have been designed as part of the series, featuring Mieszko I and St. Jadwiga of Silesia, says Bartłomiej Rodak, press spokesperson for Koleje Dolnośląskie.
0 Euro Souvenir – origins and concept
The first zero-euro banknote was created in France in 2015. Four years later, the first Polish issue took place. The entire print run of 5,000 commemorative “Warsaw” banknotes sold out in a single day. The creator of the Euro Souvenir project is Richard Faille. In 1996, he began cooperating with the French state mint Monnaie de Paris on the production of personalised medals that could be offered as souvenirs to visitors to museums, tourist attractions and amusement parks. The project’s success meant that, after lengthy preparations, a commemorative banknote with a value of 0 Euro Souvenir appeared in France. The project quickly gained popularity, and its reach extended to other European countries.
A unique feature of the 0 Euro Souvenir commemorative banknote is the ability to depict interesting places or recognisable historical and contemporary figures that do not appear on banknotes in official circulation. Thanks to its collectible qualities, the souvenir reaches a wide audience around the world. Although 0 Euro Souvenir banknotes are not legal tender and merely resemble genuine euro banknotes in appearance, they contain similar security features, including a watermark, hologram, microprinting and UV elements. 0 Euro Souvenir banknotes are made from 100% cotton paper.
The duchess and the duke on the banknotes
Duchess Jadwiga of Silesia, born between 1178 and 1180 (the exact date is unknown), grew up at Andechs Castle in Bavaria. When she was 12, she married the Silesian duke Henry the Bearded. The marriage was deeply religious. In 1209, both took vows of chastity and also supported the development of the Catholic Church. Among other things, they founded the Cistercian convent in Trzebnica. After her husband’s death, Jadwiga moved to that very convent. The duchess was also involved in charitable work, seeking to ease the suffering of the sick and poor. Jadwiga died on 14 or 15 October 1243 in Trzebnica, where she was buried. On 26 March 1267, Pope Clement IV canonised Jadwiga.
Duke Mieszko I was born around 930 and was the son of the legendary Siemomysł of the Piast dynasty. He was the first Polish ruler attested by historical sources, ruling from around 960. He came from the Polan tribe living along the Warta, which he united with Slavic tribes from the lands between the Oder and Vistula. To protect the western borders from German expansion under the pretext of missionary work, Mieszko decided to accept baptism through Bohemia. In this way, the Polan state gained a strong ally. The baptism, which took place in 966, permanently incorporated Mieszko I’s state into the circle of Western European Latin civilisation. The founder of Polish statehood died on 25 May 992.
Legnica’s zero-euro banknotes
In 2020, the Copper Museum in Legnica issued a commemorative zero-euro banknote featuring the Piast Castle and the Legnica florin, the first circulating coin minted in the Polish lands. The following year, the museum commemorated in a similar way the 780th anniversary of the Battle of Legnica and the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Legnica Museum in Legnickie Pole. Both issues attracted great interest from Legnica residents and collectors.
Another Legnica zero-euro note was issued in 2021 by the MKS Miedź Legnica football club. The occasion was its 50th anniversary. The banknote featured the Orła Białego Stadium, where “Miedzianka” has played its matches since 1971. Now it is Koleje Dolnośląskie’s turn. Interestingly, the company has become a pioneer in its industry.
– We are the first railway carrier in Poland that can boast a zero-euro banknote. It is possible that the series will continue in the future. There is certainly no shortage of Piast rulers, especially in our region, concludes Bartłomiej Rodak.
The banknotes featuring Mieszko and St. Jadwiga of Silesia can be purchased at the Copper Museum in Legnica. They will also be available from Banknoty Pamiątkowe, the exclusive representative of the 0 Euro Souvenir project in Poland, at www.esouvenir.pl.