Albania
Albania new 200-lek note (B322) confirmed
14 10, 2019 08:01 Category: Europe
Courtesy of Andrea Bossi.
Albania unveils new banknote family (B322 - B327) to be introduced 2019 - 2022
13 09, 2019 15:14 Category: Europe
On 12 September 2019, the Bank of Albania unveiled a new series of banknotes that are like the preceding issues, but with refreshed designs and colors, as well as new security features. Although not shown at the unveiling, the new 10,000-lek note is expected to have the theme of the national anthem and its author, poet Aleksandër Stavre Drenova, known by the pen name Asdreni. Existing notes will continue to circulate in parallel as the six denominations are introduced into circulation at staggered intervals from 2019 to 2022.
Courtesy of Vunhan Vuong, Don Cleveland, and Marco Pache.
Courtesy of Vunhan Vuong, Don Cleveland, and Marco Pache.
Albania new family reported to be introduced beginning in late 2019
06 07, 2019 09:30 Category: Europe
According to an Invest in Albania article dated 3 July 2019, the Bank of Albania plans to introduce a new family of banknotes starting with new 200- and 5,000-lek notes in the fall of 2019, and eventually including 500-, 1,000-, 2,000-, and 10,000-lek notes. All notes will have the same themes as existing issues (the new denomination of 10,000 leke will have the theme of the national anthem and its author, the poet Asdreni), but completely redesigned and with enhanced security features.
Albania new 10,000-lek note reportedly approved
10 02, 2018 16:29 Category: Europe
According to a 7 December 2017 report in Albanian Daily News, the Banka e Shqiperise has approved a design of a new 10,000-lek note featuring poet Aleksandër Stavre Drenova, known by the pen name Asdreni. No word yet on when the note is expected to be introduced into circulation.
Courtesy of Nick Meister.
Courtesy of Nick Meister.
Albania new sig/date (2015) 500-lek note (B317c) confirmed
07 02, 2018 11:58 Category: Europe
Like B317b, but new date (2015), new signatures, 2.0-mm wide security thread, and umlauts added to SHQIPËRISË (Albania) and PESËQIND LEKË (five hundred lek). Prefix KU.
Courtesy of Nick Meister.
Albania new sig/date (2013) 5,000-lek note confirmed
20 04, 2015 18:00 Category: Europe
5,000 leke, 2013. Like BES B21a, but new date, new signatures (Ardian Fullani and Dorian Çollaku), and 3.0-mm wide windowed security thread.
Official press release dated 8 July 2014:
The 5000 Lekë Albanian banknote, legal tender, issue of 2013, in circulation
The Bank of Albania is notifying the Albanian public that the 5000 Lekë Albanian banknote, legal tender, issue of 2013, will start circulating on 09 July 2014.
Reprinting of the 5000 Lekë Albanian banknote, legal tender, was approved by decision of Bank of Albania’s Supervisory Council, No. 05, dated 17.01.2013, in pursuance of the Law No. 8269, dated 23.12.1997 “On the Bank of Albania”, as amended.
The new 5000 Lekë banknote, issue of 2013, has the same basic design and size as the 5000 Lekë banknote, issue of 2007, put into circulation on 15.05.2009.
The change in the last issue stands in the thickness of the security threat, which is 3 mm from 1.5 mm, the year of issue in the banknote body which is ‘2013’, and the signature of the Head of the Issue Department.
Starting from 09 July 2014, the 5000 Lekë banknote, legal tender, issue of 2013, will be used as means of payment in parallel with all the currently circulating banknotes of this denomination, of earlier issues.
Courtesy of Sev Onyshkevych.
Albania arrests governor of central bank
07 09, 2014 09:59 Category: Europe
According to a Reuters article dated 5 September 2014, Ardian Fullani, governor of the Banka e Shqiperise (Bank of Albania) since 28 October 2004, was arrested by the State Police on charges of abuse of office after the theft of 713 million lek (US$6.63 million) from the bank vaults over four years by bank employee Ardian Bitfaj.
According to the bank's press release dated 6 September 2014, the supervisory council of the bank recommends the dismissal of Fullani. If that should come to pass, collectors can expect new signature varieties as the governor's signature has appeared on all notes issued during the past decade.
Courtesy of Christof Zellweger.
According to the bank's press release dated 6 September 2014, the supervisory council of the bank recommends the dismissal of Fullani. If that should come to pass, collectors can expect new signature varieties as the governor's signature has appeared on all notes issued during the past decade.
Courtesy of Christof Zellweger.
Albania new sig/date (2012) 200-lek note confirmed
06 11, 2013 14:45 Category: Europe
200 leke, 2012. Like BES B13, but new date, new signatures (Ardian Fullani and Dorian Çollaku), and 2.0-mm wide windowed security thread. Intro: 12.09.2013. According to a press release, a new sig/date 2,000-lek note (BES B20) was also issued on this date with 3.0-mm wide security thread. If anyone has this note, please send scans so that it can be confirmed.
Courtesy of Claudio Marana.
Albania new sig/date (2011) 1,000-lek note confirmed
29 09, 2013 14:37 Category: Europe
1,000 leke, 2011. Like BES B18b, but new date and signatures.
Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (http://www.banknoten.de).
Albania chapter of The Banknote Book is now available
02 06, 2011 18:05 Category: The Banknote Book | Europe
The Albania chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.
This 28-page catalog covers notes issued by the National Bank of Albania from 1926 to 1940, the Albanian State Bank from 1945 to 1992, and the Bank of Albania from 1992 to present. Revised 22 December 2015.
Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
- Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
- Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
- Specific identification of all vignette elements
- Security features described in full
- Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
- Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
- Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
- Date reproduced exactly as on note
- Precise date of introduction noted when known
- Replacement note information
- Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
- Background information for historical and cultural context
- Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
- Bibliographic sources listed for further research
Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.
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Albania issues revised 200-lek note
22 07, 2009 09:35 Category: Europe
On 20 July 2009, the Bank of Albania issued a revised 200-lek (US$2.20) note dated 2007 (in small type at right center on back) and printed by TDLR without imprint. Like Pick 67, but It has Cornerstone watermarks and new signatures.
Courtesy of Michael Reissner.
Albania issues revised 5,000-lek note
19 07, 2009 08:17 Category: Europe
On 15 May 2009, the Bank of Albania issued a revised 5,000-lek (US$55) note dated 2007 (in small type at lower right on back) and printed by TDLR without imprint. It has Cornerstone watermarks, a holographic patch, demetalized windowed security thread, and new signatures.
Courtesy of Christof Zellweger and Michael Reissner.
Albania new date (2007) 1,000-lek note confirmed
22 05, 2009 07:49 Category: Europe
1,000 lek (US$10.55)
Like Pick 69, but new date (2007), new signatures, and Cornerstone watermarks. Printer: (TDLR).
Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.
Albania issues revised 500-lek note dated 2007
05 03, 2009 20:28 Category: Europe
On February 16, 2009, the Bank of Albania issued a revised 500-lek note. It is dated 2007 and is apparently printed by TDLR based upon its use of Cornerstone watermarks. The note is like the 2001 issue, but has new signatures and a windowed security thread with demetalized text.
Updated versions of the 200- and 5,000-lek notes have also been issued in 2009.
500 lek (US$4.85)
Blue. Front: Prime Minister Ismail Qemali; two-headed independence flag; fountain pen. Back: Desk and chairs in office where independence declared; telegraph machine which transmitted declaration; house where event took place. Windowed security thread with demetalized 500. Watermark: Ismail Qemali and Cornerstones. Printer: TDLR (w/o imprint). 145 x 68 mm. 2007. Signatures unknown. Introduced 16.02.2009.
Courtesy of Michael M. Reissner and banknoteshop@gmx.net.
Updated versions of the 200- and 5,000-lek notes have also been issued in 2009.
500 lek (US$4.85)
Blue. Front: Prime Minister Ismail Qemali; two-headed independence flag; fountain pen. Back: Desk and chairs in office where independence declared; telegraph machine which transmitted declaration; house where event took place. Windowed security thread with demetalized 500. Watermark: Ismail Qemali and Cornerstones. Printer: TDLR (w/o imprint). 145 x 68 mm. 2007. Signatures unknown. Introduced 16.02.2009.
Courtesy of Michael M. Reissner and banknoteshop@gmx.net.
Albania issues new 2,000-lek note and revised 1,000-lek note
04 01, 2009 21:00 Category: Europe
On 29 December 2008, the Bank of Albania issued its first-ever 2,000-lek note. Also, on 14 November 2008, the bank issued a revised 1,000-lek note. Both are dated 2007 and apparently printed by TDLR based upon their use of Cornerstone watermarks.
1,000 lek (US$11.25)
Green. Front: Writer and priest Pjeter Bogdani; sun. Back: Catholic church in Vau i Dejës; Bogdani’s vision of the heliocentric system. Windowed security thread with demetalized 1000. Watermark: Pjeter Bogdani and Cornerstones. Printer: TDLR (w/o imprint). 151 x 72 mm. 2007. Signatures unknown. Introduced 14.11.2008.
2,000 lek (US$22.50)
Purple. Front: MBRETI GENT (Gentius, last king of Illyria); three ancient coins; coat of arms. Back: Medicinal plant, gentiana lutea (great yellow gentian, or bitter root); AMFITEATRI I BUTRINTIT (ancient Butrint amphitheater near Sarandë). Hologram. Windowed security thread with demetalized 2000. Watermark: Gentius and Cornerstones. Printer: TDLR (w/o imprint). 160 x 72 mm. 2007. Signatures unknown. Introduced 29.12.2008.
Courtesy of Michael M. Reissner, Cleophas Elmakias Schockemohle, and banknoteshop@gmx.net.
1,000 lek (US$11.25)
Green. Front: Writer and priest Pjeter Bogdani; sun. Back: Catholic church in Vau i Dejës; Bogdani’s vision of the heliocentric system. Windowed security thread with demetalized 1000. Watermark: Pjeter Bogdani and Cornerstones. Printer: TDLR (w/o imprint). 151 x 72 mm. 2007. Signatures unknown. Introduced 14.11.2008.
2,000 lek (US$22.50)
Purple. Front: MBRETI GENT (Gentius, last king of Illyria); three ancient coins; coat of arms. Back: Medicinal plant, gentiana lutea (great yellow gentian, or bitter root); AMFITEATRI I BUTRINTIT (ancient Butrint amphitheater near Sarandë). Hologram. Windowed security thread with demetalized 2000. Watermark: Gentius and Cornerstones. Printer: TDLR (w/o imprint). 160 x 72 mm. 2007. Signatures unknown. Introduced 29.12.2008.
Courtesy of Michael M. Reissner, Cleophas Elmakias Schockemohle, and banknoteshop@gmx.net.
Albania new 5,000-lek note (B326) confirmed
14 10, 2019 08:01 Category: Europe
Courtesy of Andrea Bossi.
