English project

Topic : “Albanian coins and

banknotes .”
Jorgo Llaguri
May 2020
A short history of our banknotes and
coins .
The first Lek were Bronze coins introduced in
denominations of 5 and 10 qindar leku alongside nickel coins
in 1/4; 1/2 ; 1 lek1,2 silver and 5 franga . Franga coins
were used in our country from 1926 up to 1939 and depicted
Zog 1 ,who was the King on the Albanians at that time.
During Albania ‘s capitulation to Italy a new series of coins
with the portrait of Victor Emanuel III were used until 1941.
 After the liberation of Albania from Nazi occupation in
1947 the Communist party took control of the country and
new zinc coins were introduced . These coins have
denominations of ½ ; 1;2 and 5 leke.

* The first Albanian coins

This currency was pegged to the Soviet ruble and
was in use until the currency reform of 1965.
 During Soviet occupation (1946-1965) the lek was
pegged to the Soviet ruble at 12.5 leke to 1 ruble.
The second lek exchanged with the first leke at a
rate of 10 old leke to one new lek. .
The issue of a second leke was necessary because
of the revaluation of the ruble which created
inequalities after 1965.

* The first Albanian coins

 The most common banknote denominations are :
200 ; 500 ;1000 ;2000 and 5000 leke.The 2000 leke
banknote came with the third issue of ALL in 1995
and 1996.

Albanian banknotes
 Albanian banknotes have been issued in different
years and each of them has its own peculiarities
Size : 138 x 69 mm
Color : Brown in yellow
First in circulation : 11.07.1997
Obverse : Portrait of Naim
Frasheri.
Reverse : View of the house
of Naim Frasheri
ISSUED IN : 1996,2001.2007,2012,2019

Albanian banknotes characteristics

 Size : 145x 69 mm
Dominant color : Blue
First in circulation : 11.07.1997
Obverse : Portrait of Ismail
Bej Vlora.
Reverse : View of the building
of the Provisional Government
of Vlora worked (National Museum of Independence)
ISSUED IN : 1996,2001,2007,2015

Albanian banknotes characteristics

 Size : 152x72 mm
Dominant color : Green
First in circulation :11.07.1997
Obverse : Portrait of Pjeter Bogdani
Reverse : Kisha Katolike e Vaut te Dejes

ISSUED IN : 1996,2001,2007,2011

Albanian banknotes characteristics

 Size : 155x 72 mm
Dominant color : Purple
First in circulation : 29.12.2008
Obverse : Portrait of King
Gent of Illyria.
Reverse : Elements of antiquity architecture found
in Albania.
ISSUED IN :2007,2012 .

Albanian banknotes characteristics

 Size :160 x 72 mm
Color : Brown in yellow
First in circulation : 01.01.1999
Obverse : Portrait of Gjergj
Kastriot Skanderbeg
Reverse : View of Kruja Castle.
ISSUED IN : 1996,2001,2007,2013

Albanian banknotes characteristics

 The coins series in circulation comprises six different
denominations : 5,10.20,50 and 100 leke issued in
different years.
 1 Lek - Features a pelican (Issued in 1996 , 2008, 2013)
 5 Lek – Features the eagle of the Albanian flag
( Issued in 1995,2000,2011,2014)
 10 Lek – Features the Castle of Berat
( Issued in 1996,2000, 2009,2013)
 20 Lek- Features the Liburian ship
(Issued in 1996,2000,2012)

Coins in circulation
 50 Lek – Features the Illyrian King Gent
(Issued in : 1996,2000)
 50 Lek –Features an Illyrian (Issued in 2003)
 100 Lek – Features the Illyrian Queen Teuta
(Issued in 2000)

Coins in circulation