![\"\"](\"https:\/\/letrat.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/albanian_banknotes_0_2019_2022_1_opt.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEtymology<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The word qindark\u00eb comes from the Albanian qind, meaning one hundred, or from Arabic qint\u0101r (“hundredweight”). The word is thus comparable to centime, cent, Latin centenarius, etc.<\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – Franga<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – First Lek<\/strong><\/p>\n In 1926, the National Bank of Albania (Banka Komb\u00ebtare 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. Albanian Banknotes – 1926-1945<\/strong><\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 1947 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 1949 & 1957 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – Second Lek<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 1964 & 1976 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 1991 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 1992 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n Due to the shortage of cash in circulation, in 1992, banknotes of 10 and 50 foreign currency leks (Lek Valut\u00eb ) 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.<\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 1997 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Albanian Banknotes – 2019\u20132022 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 lek\u00eb 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 Aleksand\u00ebr 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 t\u00eb p\u00ebrbashkuar, me nj\u00eb d\u00ebshir\u00eb e nj\u00eb q\u00ebllim.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [ source: banknoter (via wayback machine) & wikipedia<\/span><\/em> ]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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… Lexo
\nIn 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.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n