The lek was introduced as the first Albanian currency in February 1926. Before then, Albania was a country without a currency, adhering to a gold standard for the fixation of commercial values. Before the First World War the Ottoman Turkish piastre was in full circulation, but following the military occupation of the country by various continental powers the gold franc (Franc Germinal) was adopted as the monetary unit. In 1923 Italian paper circulated at Shkodër, Durrës, Vlorë, and Gjirokastër, and the Greek drachma at Korçë, the values of which varied according to locality and the prevailing rates of exchange as compared with gold. From 1926-1939, the Albanian lek adhered to the gold standard with lek banknotes being convertible to gold. Due to the gold standard, up until 1939, the lek did not experience significant inflation and the currency in circulation remained relatively constant. Following the Italian invasion of Albania, the entire gold reserves of Albania, totaling 300,000 gold francs, were confiscated and sent to the Reichsbank in Berlin. This action, coupled with the introduction of the Italian lira in Albania, led to significant inflation and the devaluation of the lek.
Etymology
The lek was named after Alexander the Great, whose name is often shortened to Leka in Albanian. Alexander’s portrait appeared on the obverse of the 1 lek coin, while the reverse showed him on his horse.
The word qindarkë comes from the Albanian qind, meaning one hundred, or from Arabic qintār (“hundredweight”). The word is thus comparable to centime, cent, Latin centenarius, etc.
Albanian Banknotes – Franga
Between 1926 and 1939, the main unit of Albanian currency was the franga ari (English: gold franc) (Fr.A.), worth 5 Lek and divided into 100 qindar ar (gold cent), used in international transactions. This unit was similar in concept to the Belga, a unit worth five Belgian francs.
Albanian Banknotes – First Lek
In 1926, the National Bank of Albania (Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis) introduced notes in denominations of Fr.A. 1, Fr.A. 5, Fr.A. 20 and Fr.A. 100. In 1939, notes were issued in denominations of Fr.A. 5 and Fr.A. 20. These were followed in 1944 with notes for 2 Lek, 5 Lek, 10 Lek, and Fr.A. 100.
In 1945, the People’s Bank of Albania (Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar) issued overprints on National Bank notes for 10 Lek, Fr.A. 20 and Fr.A. 100. Regular notes were also issued in 1945 in denominations of 1, Fr.A. 5, Fr.A. 20, Fr.A. 100 and Fr.A. 500. In 1947, the franga-ari was discontinued and the lek was adopted as the main currency unit, with notes issued for 10 Lek, 50 Lek, 100 Lek, 500 Lek and 1000 Lek.
Albanian Banknotes – 1926-1945
Albanian Banknotes – 1947 Series
Albanian Banknotes – 1949 & 1957 Series
Albanian Banknotes – Second Lek
In 1965, notes (dated 1964) were introduced by the Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar in denominations of 1 Lek, 3 Lek, 5 Lek, 10 Lek, 25 Lek, 50 Lek and 100 Lek. A second series of notes was issued in 1976 when the country changed its name to the People’s Socialist Republic.
Albanian Banknotes – 1964 & 1976 Series
Albanian Banknotes – 1991 Series
Albanian Banknotes – 1992 Series
Due to the shortage of cash in circulation, in 1992, banknotes of 10 and 50 foreign currency leks (Lek Valutë ) were issued, while their value was increased 50 times: 10 foreign currency leks = 500 leks, 50 foreign currency leks = 2500 leks . The banknotes were in circulation for only one year and were soon replaced by banknotes of the 1992 model. A banknote of 1 currency lek was printed, but not put into circulation.
Albanian Banknotes – 1997 Series
On 11 July 1997, a new series of banknotes dated 1996-97 was introduced. Notes dated 1996 were printed by De La Rue in the United Kingdom. The 2000 lek note was introduced in 2008.
Albanian Banknotes – 2019–2022 Series
The Bank of Albania in 2019 unveiled a new series of banknotes, featuring the same themes on both the front and back side of the notes, improved security features, and a change in material for the 200 Lek banknote, now issued as a polymer banknote. This series has also introduced a new denomination, 10,000 Lek, its highest denominated banknote issued for general circulation. The first two denominations issued for this series, the 200 and 5,000 lekë banknote were issued for circulation on 30 September 2019, while with the 1,000 Lek and 10,000 Lek banknotes were released on 30 June 2021. The 2,000 Lek and 500 Lek banknotes are planned for release by 2022. The 10,000 Lek note features Aleksandër Starve Drenova, commonly known as Asdreni, the lyricist of the Albanian national anthem. The reverse features the flag of Albania, a musical score, a music box, and the first two lines of Himni i Flamurit, the Albanian national anthem, which is “Rreth flamurit të përbashkuar, me një dëshirë e një qëllim.
[ source: banknoter (via wayback machine) & wikipedia ]