Official country name: Republic of Albania
The official currency of Albania is the Lek (ALL). The currency symbol for the Lek is L. The lek is divided into 100 qindarka; however, the qindarka is no longer produced. In 1947 the Lek was chosen as the main denomination. So far, four editions of the Lek have been printed by Albania.
Currency history
- In 1926, the Lek was introduced by the Albanian King Ahmet Zoghu. Bronze, nickel, and silver coins were minted and distributed in denominations of 5 and 10 qindar.
- In 1956, the Lek was redistributed and was available in denominations of 1 lek and 5 qindar, 10 qindar, 20 qindar, and 50 qindar.
- In 1991, and 1992 the Lek was reintroduced with added denominations of 200, 500, and 1,000 Lek notes.
- In 1997, a newly printed series of Lek banknotes were made available.
- Since 2002, there have been special issues of the Lek; for example, in 2005 the 50 Lek was designed for the 85th anniversary of the capital Tirana.
1 Lek = 100 Qindarka; ISO code = ALL 008
4th October 2024, 1 USD = 106.33 leke; 1 Euro = 123.67 leke
Country state: Complete
BANCA NAZIONALE D’ALBANIA
Frank Ar / Franco d’Oro System
- ND (1926) “Franka Ari” Issue
1 Frank Ar (5 lek) P-1; B-101 Color: Brown and green Dimensions: 93 x 50 mm
Front: Fruit; Roman eagle.
Back: Stylized sun.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Officine Carte Valori Richter, Naples (Italy) – OCVR.
Watermark: None.
Signature: Mario Alberti & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | G | Fine | XF |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1926. | 3000. | 6000. | 12000. |
Note: it was released for only 10 days and was printed on the signature “Richter” in Naples, Italy. Withdrawn very shortly after release, as president Ahmed Zogu did not appreciate the display of the Roman Eagle on this note.
5 Franka Ari P-2; B-102 Color: Green Dimensions: 113 x 60 mm Withdrawn: 1939
Front: Young boy wearing hat.
Back: : Vizirs bridge and over Kir river in Mes.
Security thread:
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: Intertwined BNA.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A-L. Intro: 28.02.1926. Sign 1. | 10. | 25. | 300. |
| b. Prefix: M-X. Sign 2. | 3. | 15. | 150. |
Signatures:
1.
Mario Alberti & Amedeo Gambino
2.
Giuseppe Bianchini & Amedeo Gambino
20 Franka Ari P-3; B-103 Color: Blue Dimensions: 152 x 86 mm
Front: Young boy in hat; double-headed eagle.
Back: : Bridge over Drin river, mosque, buildings, trees, and landscape near Shkodër; double-headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: Skanderbeg with hat.
Signature: Mario Alberti & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 28.02.1926. | 10. | 100. | 350. |
100 Franka Ari P-4; B-104 Color: Brown Dimensions: 190 x 104 mm
Front: Gomsiqe bridge in Puka; King Zog I.
Back: Crescent; landscape with Drin river near Shkodër.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: Skanderbeg with helmet.
Signature: Mario Alberti & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | G | Fine | XF |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 20.05.1926. | 500. | 1500. | 3000. |
100 Franka Ari P-5; B-105 Color: Lilac Dimensions: 190 x 104 mm
Front: Gomsiqe bridge in Puka; double headed eagle (overprint over portrait of King Zog I).
Back: Crescent; landscape with Drin river near Shkodër.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: Skanderbeg with helmet.
Signature: Mario Alberti & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | G | Fine | XF |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1939. | 200. | 1000. | 1500. |
Note: Many of these notes have been chemically washed which has changed the colors. It was in circulation for only a few days.
Franga / Franchi System
- ND (1939-1940) “Franga” Issue
5 Franga P-6; B-106 Color: Green and blue Dimensions: 132 x 76 mm
Front: Guilloche pattern.
Back: Double headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: Victor Emmanuel III.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1939. | 2. | 15. | 100. |
20 Franga P-7; B-107 Color: Green and brown Dimensions: 187 x 106 mm
Front: Wreath; seated Roma with shield and spear; wolf suckling Romulus and Remus; wreath.
Back: Floral motifs; double-headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Officina Della Banca d’Italia (Italy) – ODBI.
Watermark: Victor Emmanuel III at left, Skanderbeg at right.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1939. | 3. | 20. | 120. |
100 Franga P-8; B-108 Color: Brown and yellow Dimensions: 203 x 108 mm
Front: Fasces; double-headed eagle; bare-breasted peasant woman holding sickle and wheat sheaves.
Back: Wheat; fasces; double-headed eagles.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Officina Della Banca d’Italia (Italy) – ODBI.
Watermark: Victor Emmanuel III.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: May 1940. | 10. | 40. | 200. |
Lek System
- ND (1940-1942) “Lek” Issue
2 Lek P-9; B-109 Color: Orange and purple Dimensions: 95 x 54 mm Withdrawn: at end of 1944
Front: Arms, Hercules.
Back: Double headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: None.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 10.11.1940. | 4. | 15. | 60. |
5 Lek P-10; B-110 Color: Yellow and blue Dimensions: 97 x 61 mm Withdrawn: at end of 1944
Front: Double headed eagle.
Back: Coat of arms; bust of female head (Italia).
Security thread: None
Printer: Officina Della Banca d’Italia (Italy) – ODBI.
Watermark: Italia with star.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 09.06.1940. | 5. | 17.50 | 75. |
10 Lek P-7; B-107 Color: Orange and brown Dimensions: 97 x 61 mm Withdrawn: at end of 1944
Front: Double headed eagle.
Back: Coat of arms; bust of female head (Italia).
Security thread: None.
Printer: Officina Della Banca d’Italia (Italy) – ODBI.
Watermark: Victor Emmanuel III.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 18.08.1940. | 2. | 10. | 40. |
BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR
- 1945 Provisional Overprint Issue
The 5- and 10-lek notes of 1940 have also appeared with similar overprints, but these are not considered official issues.
20 Franka Ari P-12; B-201 Color: Blue Dimensions: 152 x 86 mm
Front: Young boy in hat; double-headed eagle. Rectangular BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR overprint.
Back: : Bridge over Drin river, mosque, buildings, trees, and landscape near Shkodër; double-headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown.
Watermark: Skanderbeg with hat.
Signature: Mario Alberti & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | Good | Fine | XF |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A – E. Intro: 1945. | 15. | 85. | – |
| b. Prefix: F – J. | 8. | 40. | – |
20 Frangas P-13; B-202 Color: Green and brown Dimensions: 187 x 106 mm
Front: Rectangular BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR overprint; Wreath; seated Roma with shield and spear; wolf suckling Romulus and Remus; wreath.
Back: Floral motifs; double-headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Officina Della Banca d’Italia (Italy) – ODBI.
Watermark: Victor Emmanuel III at left, Skanderbeg at right.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | Good | Fine | XF |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1945. | 12.50 | 65.00 | – |
100 Frangas P-14; B-203 Color: Brown and yellow Dimensions: 203 x 108 mm
Front: Rectangular BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR overprint; Fasces; double-headed eagle; bare-breasted peasant woman holding sickle and wheat sheaves.
Back: Wheat; fasces; double-headed eagles.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Officina Della Banca d’Italia (Italy) – ODBI.
Watermark: Victor Emmanuel III.
Signatures: Mosconi & Amedeo Gambino.
| Description | Good | Fine | XF |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1945. | 15. | 80. | – |
- 1945 “Skanderbeg” Franga Issue
The currency was revalued with the issuance of these notes, with 1 “new” franga worth 5 “old” franga.
5 Franga P-15; B-204 Color: Green Dimensions: 129 x 66 mm
Front: Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Back: Double headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: (Unknown; Berlin, German Democratic Republic).
Watermark: Pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1 MAJ, 1945. | 1.50 | 6.00 | 20. |
20 Franga P-16; B-205 Color: Blue Dimensions: 148 x 74 mm
Front: Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Back: Double headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: (Unknown; Berlin, German Democratic Republic).
Watermark: Pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1 MAJ, 1945. | 2.00 | 7.50 | 25. |
100 Franga P-17; B-206 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 158 x 79 mm
Front: Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Back: Double headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: (Unknown; Berlin, German Democratic Republic).
Watermark: Pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1 MAJ, 1945. | 3.00 | 10. | 30. |
500 Franga P-18; B-207 Color: Brown Dimensions: 178 x 89 mm
Front: Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Back: Double headed eagle.
Security thread: None.
Printer: (Unknown; Berlin, German Democratic Republic).
Watermark: Pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1 MAJ, 1945. | 25. | 100. | 400. |
- 1947 “Soldier” Lek Issue
In 1947, the lek replaced the franga as the currency of Albania. The rate of exchange was 9 lek to 1 franga.
10 Leke P-19; B-208 Color: Green and orange Dimensions: 120 x 60 mm
Front: Coat of arms; soldier holding rifle.
Back: Guilloche patterns.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Yugoslavia).
Watermark: Pattern.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1947. | 1.50 | 7.50 | 22. |
50 Leke P-20; B-209 Color: Brown and green Dimensions: 134 x 67 mm
Front: Coat of arms; soldier holding rifle.
Back: Guilloche patterns.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Yugoslavia).
Watermark: Pattern.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1947. | 2.25 | 12. | 32. |
100 Leke P-21; B-210 Color: Purple Dimensions: 148 x 74 mm
Front: Coat of arms; soldier holding rifle.
Back: Guilloche patterns.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Yugoslavia).
Watermark: Pattern.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1947. | 4.50 | 25. | 100. |
500 Leke P-22; B-211 Color: Brown Dimensions: 164 x 82 mm
Front: Coat of arms; soldier holding rifle.
Back: Guilloche patterns.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Yugoslavia).
Watermark: Pattern.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1947. | 8.00 | 37. | 125. |
1000 Leke P-23; B-212 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 180 x 90 mm
Front: Coat of arms; soldier holding rifle.
Back: Guilloche patterns.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Yugoslavia).
Watermark: Pattern.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1947. | 8.00 | 45. | 300. |
- 1949 and 1957 issues
10 Leke P-24 & 28; B-213 Color: Red and green Dimensions: 124 x 65 mm
Front: Coat of arms.
Back: Wheat; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (USSR).
Watermark: B SH SH pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| P-24; P-213a. Date: 1949. | 1.00 | 5.00 | 12. |
| P-28; P-213b. Date: 1957. | 0.25 | 0.75 | 2.00 |
50 Leke P-25 & 29; B-214 Color: Purple and green Dimensions: 133 x 74 mm
Front: Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Back: Coat of arms; soldier with kerchief.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (USSR).
Watermark: B SH SH pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| P-25; B-214a. Date: 1949. | 1.50 | 5.00 | 15. |
| P-29; B-214b. Date: 1957. | 0.35 | 1.25 | 4.00 |
100 Leke P-26 & 30; B-215 Color: Green Dimensions: 144 x 84 mm
Front: Soldier with kerchief holding rifle; coat of arms.
Back: Fruit and vegetables; Guilloche patterns.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (USSR).
Watermark: B SH SH pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| P-26; B215a. Date: 1949. | 2.50 | 7.50 | 22. |
| P-30; B215b. Date: 1957. | 0.50 | 1.75 | 5.00 |
500 Leke P-27 & 31; B-216 Color: Brown Dimensions: 163 x 89 mm
Front: Farmers harvesting hay with tractor; Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Back: Woman holding wheat sheaf; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (USSR).
Watermark: B SH SH pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| P-27; B216a. Date: 1949. | 3.50 | 12. | 30. |
| P-31; B216b. Date: 1957. | 1.00 | 3.00 | 10. |
1000 Leke P-27A & 32; B-217 Color: Purple and green Dimensions: 173 x 94 mm
Front: Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg; oil derricks on tree-covered hillside.
Back: Coat of arms; man with miner’s hat and jackhammer.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (USSR).
Watermark: B SH SH pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VG | VF | UNC |
| P-27A; B217a. Date: 1949. | 4.50 | 35. | 300. |
| P-32; B217b. Date: 1957. | 1.25 | 4.00 | 12. |
- 1964 and 1976 issues
The currency was revalued with the issuance of these notes, with 1 “new” lek worth 10 “old” lek.
1 Lek P-33 & 40; B-218 Color: Green Dimensions: 105 x 55 mm
Front: Worker, peasant woman.
Back: Rozafa fortress near Scutari (Shkoder).
Security thread: None.
Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-33; B218a. Date: 1964. | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| P-40; B218b. Date: 1976. | 0.40 | 1.00 |
3 Leke P-34 & 41; B-219 Color: Brown Dimensions: 110 x 60 mm
Front: Grape Harvest.
Back: Saranda.
Security thread: None.
Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-34; B219a. Date: 1964. | 1.00 | 6.00 |
| P-41; B219a. Date: 1976. | 0.40 | 1.50 |
5 Leke P-35 & 42; B-220 Color: Purple and blue Dimensions: 125 x 65 mm
Front: Truck, steam passenger train (locomotive Tkt48, wheel arrangement 1-D-1, built in Poland).
Back: SS “Daijti”.
Security thread: None.
Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-35; B-220a. Date: 1964. | 2.00 | 8.00 |
| P-42; B-220b. Date: 1976. | 0.40 | 2.00 |
10 Leke P-36 & 43; B-221 Color: Green Dimensions: 135 x 75 mm
Front: Woman working with cotton spinning frame.
Back: People, portrait of Naim Frasheri.
Security thread: None.
Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-36; 221a. Date: 1964. | 3.00 | 10. |
| P-43; 221b. Date: 1976. | 0.60 | 3.00 |
25 Leke P-37 & 44; B-222 Color: Black and purple Dimensions: 150 x 85 mm
Front: Peasant woman, combine harvester.
Back: Tractor HTZ DT-54 (Kharkovskiy Traktorniy Zavod, Soviet Union), arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-37; B-222a. Date: 1964. | 4.00 | 15. |
| P-44; B-222b. Date: 1976. | 1.25 | 7.50 |
50 Leke P-38 & 45; B-223 Color: Reddish Dimensions: 165 x 90 mm
Front: Soldiers on parade, Skanderbeg.
Back: Rifle, pick axe, building under construction.
Security thread: None.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-38; B-223a. Date: 1964. Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM. | 8.00 | 25. |
| P-45c; B-223b. Date: 1976. Serif prefix. 24-mm wide serial numbers. | 2.00 | 15. |
| P-45b; B-223c. 27-mm s/n. Printer: Orell Fussli, Zurich (Switzerland) – OFZ. | 2.50 | 20.00 |
| P-45a; B-223d. Sans serif prefix. Printer: (Unknown). | 2.00 | 15.00 |
100 Leke P-39 & 46; B-224 Color: Brownish Dimensions: 175 x 95 mm
Front: Worker, boy, hydroelectric dam of Uëlzë.
Back: Steel worker, well rigger, refinery, oil derricks.
Security thread: None.
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-39; B-224a. Date: 1964. Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) – CBPM. | 15. | 40. |
| P-46a; B-224b. Date: 1976. 25-mm wide serial numbers. | 3.00 | 20. |
| P-46b; B-224c. 28-mm s/n. Printer: Orell Fussli, Zurich (Switzerland) – OFZ. | 3.00 | 20. |
Unissued banknotes
20 Lekë P-NL; B-225 Color: Brown Dimensions: 156 x 88 mm
Front: Coat of arms; National Museum of Albanian History, Tirana Hotel, Opera Hall, and bridge under construction in Skanderbeg Square, Tirana; mountains.
Back: Enver Hoxha’s house in Gjirokastra.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date:1985. UNISSUED. | – | – |
20 Lekë P-NL B-226 Color: Green Dimensions: 156 x 88 mm
Front: Coat of arms; National Museum of Albanian History, Tirana Hotel, Opera Hall, and bridge under construction in Skanderbeg Square, Tirana; mountains.
Back: Enver Hoxha’s house in Gjirokastra.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: Curved B.SH.SH. and star pattern.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date:1985. UNISSUED. | – | – |
100 Lekë P-46Aa; B-227 Color: Blue Dimensions: 168 x 90 mm
Front: Worker pouring molten steel; foundry equipment.
Back: Four oil well derricks; mountains; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: BSHSH pattern.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. s/n XA 000000. UNISSUED (1985). | – | – |
100 Lekë P-46Ab; B-228 Color: Brown Dimensions: 168 x 90 mm
Front: Worker pouring molten steel; foundry equipment.
Back: Four oil well derricks; mountains; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: BSHSH pattern.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. s/n XA 000000. UNISSUED (1985). | – | – |
- 1991 and 1996 issues
100 Lekë P-47; B-229 Color: Brown Dimensions: 158 x 77 mm
Front: Steel workers, oil derricks, steel mill.
Back: Refinery.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR around star.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1991. | 3.00 | 7.50 |
500 Lekë P-48; B-230 Color: Purple, red and blue Dimensions: 153 x 74 mm
Front: Woman, sunflowers.
Back: Mountainous landscape.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1991. Wmk: BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR around star. Intro: 28.06.1991. UV printing: arms. No sign. | – | 25.00 |
| b. Date: 1996. Wmk: SECURITY PAPER around unknown figures. Intro: 1998. UV printing: guilloche & fibres. Signatures: Kristaq Luniku & Palok Kolnikaj. | – | 10.00 |
UV variations:
1991
1996
Lek Valutë System
- ND (1992) “Lek Valutë” Issue
1 Lek Valutë P-48A; B-231 Color: Purple and orange Dimensions: 165 x 75 mm
Front: Steel worker.
Back: Electrical transmission towers, hydroelectric generator; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: B.SH.SH and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. W/ serial numbers. UNISSUED (1992). | – | – |
10 Lek Valutë P-49; B-232 Color: Green Dimensions: 165 x 75 mm
Front: Steel worker.
Back: Electrical transmission towers, hydroelectric generator; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: B.SH.SH and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1992. W/ serial numbers. | 5.00 | 20.00 |
| b. W/o serial numbers. | 5.00 | 20.00 |
50 Lek Valutë P-50; B-233 Color: Brown and purple Dimensions: 165 x 75 mm
Front: Steel worker.
Back: Electrical transmission towers, hydroelectric generator; coat of arms.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Unknown (Albania).
Watermark: B.SH.SH and star pattern.
Signature: None.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 1992. W/ serial numbers. | 20.00 | 60.00 |
| b. W/o serial numbers. | 6.00 | 25.00 |
BANKA E SHQIPERISE
- Exchangeable until 31 December 2023.
100 Leke P-55; 301 Color: Purple Dimensions: 154 x 72 mm Demonetized: 31.12.2010
Front: National Warrior (from “Luftëtarit Kombetar” statue in Korçe/Coriza).
Back: Mountains, Lanner falcon.
Security thread: Solid.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1993. Intro: 16.03.1993. Watermark: BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR around star. Printer: Bank of Albania Printing House. Sign 1. | 7.50 | 75. |
| b. Date: 1994. Intro: 25.04.1994. Sign 2. | 4.00 | 8.00 |
| c. Date: 1996. Enhanced UV printing. Watermark: B.SH.SH. Printer: Tumba Bruk. Sign 4. | 3.50 | 5.00 |
200 Leke P-52, 56, 59; B-302, 305, 309 Color: Brown Dimensions: 162 x 78 mm Demonetized: 31.12.2010
Front: Ismail Qemali.
Back: People, double headed eagle.
Watermark: B.SH.SH.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-52; B-302. Date: 1992. Intro: 01.10.1992. Security thread: Solid. Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting, Shanghai. Sign 1. | 4.00 | 6.00 |
| P-56; B-305. Date: 1994. Intro: 02.06.1994. Security thread: None. Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. | 3.00 | 5.50 |
| P-59; B-309. Date: 1996. Intro: 11.07.1997. Security thread: Windowed. Printer: Tumba Bruk. Sign 4. | 3.00 | 5.00 |
500 Leke P-53, 57, 60; B-303, 306, 310 Color: Blue Dimensions: 170 x 78 mm Demonetized: 31.12.2010
Front: Naim Frasheri.
Back: Mountains, candle, poetry.
Watermark: B.SH.SH.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-53; B-303. Date: 1992. Intro: 01.10.1992. Security thread: Solid. Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting, Shanghai. Sign 1. | 8.00 | 15. |
| P-57; B-306. Date: 1994. Intro: 02.06.1994. Security thread: None. Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. | 8.00 | 12. |
| P-60; B-310. Date: 1996. Intro: 11.07.1997. Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 500. Printer: Tumba Bruk. Sign 4. | 8.00 | 10. |
1000 Leke P-54, 58, 61; B-304, 307, 311 Color: Green Dimensions: 178 x 78 mm Demonetized: 31.12.2013
Front: Skanderbeg.
Back: Kruja fortress, arms.
Watermark: B.SH.SH.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| P-54; B-304. Date: 1992. Intro: 01.10.1992. Security thread: Solid. Printer: China Banknote Printing and Minting, Shanghai. Sign 1. | 18. | 25. |
| P-58; B-307. Date: 1994. Intro: 02.06.1994. Security thread: None. Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. | 18. | 22. |
| P-61a; B-311a. Date: 1995, olive-green signatures. Intro: 29.02.1996. Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 1000. Printer: Tumba Bruk. Sign 3. | 18. | 30. |
| P-61b; B-311b. Date: 1995, black signatures. | 18. | 20. |
| P-61c; B-311c. Date: 1996, brown signatures. Intro: 11.07.1997. Sign 4. | 18. | 18. |
Signatures:
Current and Specimen Banknotes
P-62s; B-312as1; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number LA 000000
P-NL; B-312as2 Diagonal red S P E C I M E N overprint on front; normal serial numbers; perforations
100 Leke P-62; B-312 Color: Purple Dimensions: 130 x 66 mm Demonetized: 31.12.2010
Front: Theophan (Fan) Stylian Noli; flare.
Back: First Albanian Parliament building (today Acadamey of Sciences), Logo of the Albanian Federation “VATRA”, newspaper “Dielli”.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 100.
Watermark: Fan Stilian Noli.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR.
Signatures: Kristaq Luniku (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: 1996. Intro: 11.07.1997. | 1.50 | 2.50 |
Note: Exchangeable until 31 December 2023.
P-63s; B-313as1; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number FA 000000
P-NL; B-313as2 Diagonal red S P E C I M E N overprint on front; normal serial numbers; perforations
200 Leke (US$1.88; €1.62) Color: Brown Dimensions: 138 x 69 mm
Front: Portrait of Naim Frashëri (1846-1900), one of the most distinguished writers of the Albanian Renaissance; an open book in the background.
Back: View of the house where Naim Frashëri was born; a page with verses from his poem “Herds and crops”; a stylised image of his pen.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 200.
P-63a; B-313a Date: 1996 (Intro 11.07.1997) with 1.3-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Naim Frasheri Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. Signatures: Kristaq Luniku (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-313bs; Vertical SPECIMEN perforation; horizontal red # overprint at lower right; serial number NA 000000
P-67; B-313b Date: 2001 (Intro 08.04.2002) with 1.3-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Naim Frasheri Printer: Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire (France) – FCOF. Signatures: Shkëlqim Cani (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-NL Date: 2007; Diagonal red SPECIMEN ovpt on front/back; horizontal red # ovpt at lower left; two red DE LA RUE ovpt on front/back; serial number CE 000000.
P-NL; B-313cs Date: 2007; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number CE 000000
P-71a; B-313c Date: 2007 (Intro 20.07.2009) with 1.5-mm wide security thread Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Valer Miho (Director).
P-71b; B-313d Date: 2012 (Intro 12.09.2013) with 2.0-mm wide security thread Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Dorian Çollaku (Director).
P-64s; B-314a1; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number DA 000000.
P-NL; B-314as2; Diagonal red S P E C I M E N overprint on front; normal serial numbers; perforations.
500 Leke (US$4.70; €4.04) Color: Blue Dimensions: 145 x 68 mm
Front: Portrait of Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora (1844-1919), a prominent leader of the Albanian national movement and first Prime Minister of independent Albania; double-headed eagle of the independence flag; a stylised image of the pen with which the Independence Act was signed.
Back: View of the building where the Provisional Government of Vlora worked, today the National Museum of Independence; a stylised image of the room where the decision to declare Albania’s independence was made and of the telegraph with the news.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 500.
P-64a; B-314a Date: 1996 (Intro 11.07.1997) with 1.3-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Ismail Qemali Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. Signatures: Kristaq Luniku (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-68; B-317as Vertical SPECIMEN perforation; horizontal red # overprint at lower right; serial number UA 000000.
P-68; B-317a Date: 2001 (Intro 08.04.2002) with1.3-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Ismail Qemali Printer: Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire (France) – FCOF. Signatures: Shkëlqim Cani (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-NL Date: 2007; Diagonal red SPECIMEN ovpt on front/back; horizon. red SPECIMEN Nº # ovpt at lower right; two red DE LA RUE ovpt on front/back; serial number GJ 000000.
P-NL; B-317bs; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizon. red SPECIMEN Nº # ovpt at lower right; serial number GJ 000000.
P-72a; B-317b Date: 2007 (Intro 16.02.2009) with 1.5-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Valer Miho (Director).
P-72b; B-317c Date: 2015 (Intro 07.02.2018) with 2.0-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor) / Stefan Sevo (Director).
P-NL; B-315as1; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number BA 000000.
P-NL; B-315as2; Diagonal red S P E C I M E N overprint on front; normal serial numbers; perforations.
1 000 Leke (US$9.41; €8.09) Color: Green Dimensions: 151 x 72 mm
Front: Portrait of Pjetër Bogdani (1625-1689), a writer, clergyman and distinguished figure of old Albanian literature, taken from the frontispiece of his work “Çeta e profetëve” (Cuneus prophetarum), and a symbol of the sun used in this work.
Back: Bogdani’s vision of the heliocentric system; Catholic Church in Vau i Dejës.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 1000.
P-65a; B-315a Date: 1996 (Intro 11.07.1997) with 1.3-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Pjeter Bogdani Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. Signatures: Kristaq Luniku (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-318as; Vertical SPECIMEN perforation; horizontal red # overprint at lower right; serial number EA 000000.
P-69; B-318a Date: 2001 (Intro 08.04.2002) with 1.3-mm wide security thread. Watermark: Pjeter Bogdani Printer: Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire (France) – FCOF. Signatures: Shkëlqim Cani (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-NL; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; two red DE LA RUE ovpt on front/back; serial number IP 000000.
P-NL; B-318bs; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number IP 000000.
P-73a; B-318b Date: 2007 (Intro 14.11.2008) with 1.5-mm wide security thread Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Valer Miho (Director).
P-73b; B-318c Date: 2011 with 2.0-mm wide security thread Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Dorian Çollaku (Director).
P-NL; B-320as; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizon. red SPECIMEN NO # ovpt at lower right; serial number ZA 000000.
2 000 Leke (US$18.81; €16.17) Color: Purple Dimensions: 155 x 72 mm
Front: Portrait of King Gent of Illyria (181-168 BC). He is known as a statesman, a warrior, and a scientist in medicine. Also, he enriched the treasury and had bronze coins minted with his name.
Back: Elements of antiquity architecture found in Albania; Gentiana lutea – a medicinal herb, whose healing properties were discovered by King Gent; stylized detail of a Liburnian ship.
Security thread: Hologram. Windowed with demetalized 2000.
Watermark: Gentius and Cornerstones Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR.
P-74a; B-320a Date: 2007 (Intro 29.12.2008) with 1.5-mm wide security thread.
Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Valer Miho (Director).
P-74b; B-320b Date: 2012 (Intro 12.09.2013) with 3.0-mm wide security thread.
Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Dorian Çollaku (Director).
P-66s; B-316as Date: 1996; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number AB 000000.
5 000 Leke (US$47.03; €40.43) Color: Brown and yellow Dimensions: 160 x 72 mm
Front: Portrait of Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg, (1405-1468), a national hero – the most outstanding representative of the Albanian history, who led the Albanians against the Ottoman invaders. Other elements include the double-headed eagle, and Skanderbeg’s shield and sword.
Back: View of Kruja Castle, Skanderbeg’s helmet and equestrian statue in Tirana.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 5000.
P-66a; B-316a Date: 1996 (Intro 01.01.1999) with 1.3-mm wide windowed security thread. Watermark: Skenderbeu Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) – TDLR. Signatures: Kristaq Luniku (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-319as Date: 2001; Vertical SPECIMEN perforation; horizontal red # overprint at lower right; serial number PA 000000.
P-70; B-319a Date: 2001 (Intro 01.09.2004) with 1.3-mm wide windowed security thread Watermark: Skenderbeu Printer: Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire (France) – FCOF. Signatures: Shkëlqim Cani (Governor) / Palok Kolnikaj (Director).
P-NL; B-NL Date: 2007; Diagonal red SPECIMEN ovpt on front/back; horizontal red # ovpt at lower left; two red DE LA RUE ovpt on front/back; serial number AE 000000.
P-NL; B-321as Date: 2007; Diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint on front/back; horizontal red # overprint at lower left; serial number AE 000000.
P-75a; B-321a Date: 2007 (Intro 15.05.2009) with 1.5-mm wide windowed security thread Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Valer Miho (Director).
P-75b; B-321b Date: 2013 (Intro 09.07.2014) with 3.0-mm wide windowed security thread Watermark: Cornerstones added Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR. Signatures: Ardian Fullani (Governor) / Dorian Çollaku (Director).
New Series
Read the article of printer ‘De La Rue‘.
P-NL; B-322as; red serial number AA 0000000.
200 Leke (US$1.88; €1.62) P-76; B-322a Color: Brown Dimensions: 125 x 65 mm Polymer: SAFEGUARD®
Front: Portrait of Naim Frashëri, one of the most distinguished writers of the Albanian Renaissance; an open book in the background.Text: “BANKA E SHQIPËRISË”, “DYQIND LEKË”, “NAIM FRASHËRI 1846-1900”.
Back: View of the house where Naim Frashëri was born; a page with verses from his poem: “Ti Shqipëri më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar“; a stylised image of his pen and signatures.
Security features:
A transparent window reveals the portrait of the banknote, the value 200 Lekë and the building colonnade of the Bank of Albania.
See-through feature, a stylised image of eagle is placed on both sides of the note. Both imagines should match exactly.
Iridescent stripe, a glossy stripe runs through the centre and reveals the written value 200 Lekë (back).
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR.
Date: 2017. Prefix: AA, AB. Replacement: prefix XA. Intro: 30.09.2019.
Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor), Stefan Sevo (Director Department of Issue).
P-NL; B-323as; red serial number AA 0000000.
500 Leke (US$4.70; €4.04) P-77; B-323a Color: Blue Dimensions: 130 x 69 mm
Front: Portrait of Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora (1844-1919), a prominent leader of the Albanian national movement and first Prime Minister of independent Albania; double-headed eagle of the independence flag. Coat of arms as registration device;
Back: Coat of arms; View of the building where the Provisional Government of Vlora worked, today the National Museum of Independence; a stylised image of the room where the decision to declare Albania’s independence was made and of the telegraph with the news.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 500 and unknown.
Watermark: Ismail Qemali and electrotype 500 with coat of arms.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR.
Date: 2020. Prefix: DB. Intro: 17.01.2022.
Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor), Stefan Sevo (Director Department of Issue).
P-NL; B-324as; red serial number AA 0000000.
1 000 Leke (US$9.41; €8.09) P-78; B-324a Color: Green Dimensions: 139 x 69 mm
Front: Portrait of Pjetër Bogdani (1625-1689), a writer, clergyman and distinguished figure of old Albanian literature, taken from the frontispiece of his work “Çeta e profetëve” (Cuneus prophetarum), and a symbol of the sun used in this work.
Back: Bogdani’s vision of the heliocentric system; Catholic Church in Vau i Dejës.
Security features: From a threaded strip, safety thread an unbroken dark line appears. In it values are distinguished 1000 Lekë and a stylization of the sun symbol.
Watermark: The portrait of the banknote, its nominal value 1000 Lekë and the stylized eagle symbol become visible.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR.
Date: 2019. Prefix: GB. Intro: 30.06.2021.
Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor), Stefan Sevo (Director Department of Issue).
P-NL; B-325as; red serial number AA 0000000.
2 000 Leke (US$18.81; €16.17) P-79; B-325a Color: Purple Dimensions: 145 x 72 mm
Front: Portrait of King Gent of Illyria (181-168 BC). He is known as a statesman, a warrior, and a scientist in medicine. Also, he enriched the treasury and had bronze coins minted with his name. Coat of arms as registration device.
Back: Coat of arms; Elements of antiquity architecture found in Albania; Gentiana lutea – a medicinal herb, whose healing properties were discovered by King Gent; stylized detail of a Liburnian ship.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized 2000 and flower.
Watermark: Gentius and electrotype 2000 with coat of arms.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR.
Date: 2020. Prefix: KA. Intro: 17.01.2022.
Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor), Stefan Sevo (Director Department of Issue).
P-NL; B-326as; red serial number NA 0000000.
5 000 Leke (US$47.03; €40.43) P-80; B-326a Color: Yellow Dimensions: 153 x 72 mm
Front: Portrait of Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg by Gentile Bellini, a national hero – the most outstanding representative of the Albanian history, who led the Albanians against the Ottoman invaders. Text: “BANKA E SHQIPËRISË”, “PESË MIJË LEKË”, “SKËNDERBEU 1405-1468”.
Back: View of Kruja Castle, Skanderbeg’s helmet, equestrian statue in Tirana and signatures.
Security features:
The security thread turns into a dark solid line from a dashed one. The value 5000 Lekë and a stylised patch of both the shield and sword can be seen on the thread. The security thread changes colour from green to purple.
Hologram, the silvery stripe on the left, reveals the logo of the Bank of Albania, the portrait of Scanderbeg, the nominal value 5000 Lekë and the shield with the sword.
SPARK LIVE, Scanderbeg’s helmet, at the top corner on the right, changes colour from gold to green, with a dynamic effect of the image up and down.
Iridescent stripe, on the back of the banknote, the glossy stripe at the centre reveals the value 5000 Lekë.
Watermark: The portrait of the banknote, its nominal value 5000 Lekë and the stylized eagle symbol become visible.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR.
Date: 2017 Prefix: NA, NB. Intro: 30.09.2019.
Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor), Stefan Sevo (Director Department of Issue).
P-NL; B-327as; red serial number AA 0000000.
10 000 Leke (US$94.05; €80.86) P-81; B-327a Color: Red Dimensions: 160 x 72 mm
Front: Portrait of Asdreni positioned on the left. Text: “BANKA E SHQIPËRISË”, “DHJETË MIJË LEKË”; “ASDRENI (Aleksandër Stavre Drenova) 1872 – 1947”.
Back: Figurative symbols of national flag, verse from the national anthem: “Rreth flamurit të përbashkuar me një dëshir’ e një qëllim”.
Security features:
The security thread from a thread cut, the thread of security seems a dark and unbroken line. It has a face value of 10000 Lekë and a pen stylized. The safety thread changes color from green to purple.
Hologram, the silvery stripe on the left, reveals the logo of the Bank of Albania, the portrait of Asdreni, the nominal value 10000 Lekë and the book with feather.
SPARK LIVE, open book with feather, at the top corner on the right, changes colour from gold to green, with a dynamic effect of the image up and down.
Iridescent stripe, on the back of the banknote, the glossy stripe at the centre reveals the value 10000 Lekë.
Watermark: The portrait of the banknote, its nominal value 10000 Lekë and the stylized eagle symbol become visible.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) – DLR.
Date: 2019. Prefix: SA. Intro: 30.06.2021.
Signatures: Gent Sejko (Governor), Stefan Sevo (Director Department of Issue).
Note: The 10000 leke banknote has the theme of the national anthem and its author, the poet Asdreni.
Terms of import and export of currencies
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Albanian Lek-ALL): prohibited.
Foreign currencies: no restrictions.
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Albanian Lek-ALL): prohibited.
Foreign currencies: up to USD 5,000.- or up to the amounts imported and declared on arrival.
Notes
US Dollars and Euro are widely accepted along with national currency.