Banknotes security features

Security features  

Banknotes security features help you distinguish a genuine from a counterfeit banknote. Some of these security features of Albanian banknotes include:

• Watermark (visible design inside the letter). Each banknote has a three-dimensional watermark, a portrait that corresponds to the main portrait of the banknote, when seen against the light. 
• See through register. The following denominations have a specific element called see through. It is printed on the reverse of the note and matches perfectly to the space not printed on the obverse, when seen against the light. 
• Raised print. Raised print is used in most visible parts of the note and has a raised surface, which is more tactile in the main texts and image. 
• Optically variable ink . This security feature is found in 500, 2000 and 5000 Lekë denominations. The colour of ink varies depending on the viewing angle, from violet to dark green. OVI serigraphic prevents reproduction via scanner or photocopy.
• Hologram. In their obverse, 2000 and 5000 Lekë notes have a hologram, which presents different images depending on the viewing angle. 
• Ultraviolet properties. All denominations of the new series have surfaces printed in fluorescent ink, visible under UV light. This quality applies also to the security thread and invisible fibres. 
• Elements for recognition by blind or visually impaired persons.
• FCO® seal.  This element, found in the 1000 lekë denomination, offers two levels of security. The colour of ink changes from violet to dark green when the note is tilted. Depending on the viewing angle, one may see in the background the building of the Bank of Albania, its initials "BSH“ and the value numeral “1000”, which are stamped. 

 

New 5000 lekë Note
		On 15 May 2009, the Bank of Albania  put in circulation a 5000 Lekë note, of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and size as the 5000 Lekë note, issue of 2001. The new banknote has additional or improved security and damage-resistant features. Main changes to the issue of 2007: Obverse  and Reverse Signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department Year of issue Security thread from 1.2 mm becomes 1.5 mm wide. Older issues of 5000 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation, along with the new note, issue of 2007. Reinforced corners Improvements to the hologram

New 2000 lekë Note
		The Bank of Albania put in circulation on 29 December 2008, a new legal tender note of 2000 Lekë. Security elements: Obverse and Reverse Hologram. Depending on the viewing angle, the portrait of King Gent is alternated with the value numeral 2000. Optical variable ink. The colour of ink varies depending on the viewing angle, from violet to dark green. Signatures of the Governor and Director of Issue Department. Year of issue Security thread Watermark. When seen against the light, the portrait of King Gent is visible. Reinforced corners Elements for recognition by blind and visually impaired persons. Face Value “DYMIJË LEKË” (TWO THOUSAND LEKË) is in tactile raised print.

New 1000 lekë Note
		On 14 November 2008, the Bank of Albania  put in circulation a 1000 Lekë note, of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and size as the 1000 Lekë note, issue of 2001. The new banknote has additional or improved security and damage-resistant features. Older issues of 1000 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation, along with the new note, issue of 2007. Main changes to the issue of 2007 include: Signature of the Governor Signature of the Director of Issue Department Year of issue Reinforced corners Security thread from 1.2 mm becomes 1.5 mm wide Obverse and Reverse

New 500 lekë Note
		On 16 February 2009, the Bank of Albania shall put in circulation a 500 Lekë note, of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and size as the 500 Lekë note, issue of 2001. The new banknote has additional or improved security and damage-resistant features. Older issues of 500 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation, along with the new note, issue of 2007. Main changes to the issue of 2007 include: Signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department Year of Issue Reinforced corners Security thread from 1.2 mm becomes 1.5 mm wide Obverse and Reverse

New 200 lekë Note
		On 20 July 2009, the Bank of Albania shall put in circulation a 200 Lekë note, of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and size as the 200 Lekë note, issue of 2001. The new banknote has additional or improved security and damage-resistant features. Older issues of 200 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation, along with the new note, issue of 2007. Main changes to the issue of 2007 include: Signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department Year of Issue Reinforced corners Security thread from 1.2 mm becomes 1.5 mm wide Obverse  and Reverse

Current Banknotes 5000 Lekë Note

Current Banknotes5000 Lekë Note
 

Size: 160 mm x 72 mm
Colour: brown in yellow
Date first issued: 01.01.1999



The 5000 Lekë note, issued in 1996, was printed by "De La Rue". The note was reprinted by "Oberthure" banknote printing company in 2001 with improved security features and put in circulation (i.e. became legal tender) on 1 September 2004.

Obverse: 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.

Reverse: View of Kruja Castle, Skanderbeg's helmet and equestrian statue in Tirana.  

On 15 May 2009, the Bank of Albania put in circulation the 5000 Lekë note of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and dimension as the 5000 Lekë note, issue of 2001. Security related and damage-resistant elements are improved or added to this banknote. Signatures of the Governor and Director of Issue Department as well as the year are updated.

Older 5000 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation along with the new note, issued in 2007. 

Current Banknotes 2000 Lekë Note

Current Banknotes2000 Lekë Note
 

Size: 160 mm x 72 mm
Dominnat colour: purple
First in circulation on: 29.12.2008

The 2000 Lekë note, issue of 2007, was printed by “De la Rue” and first put in circulation on 29 December 2008.

The note is manufactured from high quality cotton fibre security paper.

Obverse: 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.

Reverse: 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.

Current Banknotes 1000 Lekë Note, 1996 issue

Current Banknotes1000 Lekë Note, 1996 issue
 

Size: 151 mm x 72 mm
Dominant colour: green
First in circulation on: 11.07.1997

The 1000 Lekë Note, issue of 1996 was printed by "De La Rue" Company and put in circulation on 11 July 1997.
It was reprinted by "Oberthure" banknote printing company in 2001 with improved security features and was put in circulation on 8 April 2002.

Obverse: 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.

Reverse: A scheme of Pjetër Bogdani's idea on the solar eclipse from "Çeta e profetënve in the centre; View of the catholic church of Vau i Dejës on the right.

On 14 November 2008, the Bank of Albania put in circulation a 1000 Lekë note of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and dimension as the 1000 Lekë note, issue of 2001. Security and damage-resistant elements are added or improved. Signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department are updated.

Older 1000 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation along with the new note, issue of 2007.

Current Banknotes 500 Lekë Note, 1996 issue

Current Banknotes500 Lekë Note, 1996 issue
 

Size: 145 mm x 68 mm
Dominant colour: blue
First in circulation on: 11.07.1997

The 500 Lekë note issue of 1997 was first put in circulation on 11 July 1997. It was printed by "De La Rue" banknote printing company.
It was later reprinted by "Oberthure" banknote printing company with improved security features and was put in circulation on 01 August 2002.

The note is manufactured from high quality cotton fibre security paper.

Obverse:  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.

Reverse: 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. 

On 16 February 2009, the Bank of Albania put in circulation a 500 Lekë note of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and dimensions as the 500 Lekë note, issue of 2001. Security and damage-resistant elements are added or improved to this banknote. Furthermore, signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department, as well as the year of issue are updated.

Older issues of 500 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation along with the new note, issue of 2007.

Current Banknotes 200 Lekë Note

Current Banknotes

200 Lekë Note 
 

Size: 138 mm x 69 mm
Dominant colour:  brown in yellow
First in circulation on: 11.07.1997

The 200 Lekë note, issued in 1996, was first put in circulation on 11 July 1997. It was printed by "De la Rue" Company and reprinted in 2001 by "Oberthure" Company with improved security features. This note was put in circulation on 8 April 2002. 

The note is manufactured from high quality cotton fibre security paper.

On 20 July 2009, the Bank of Albania put in circulation a 200 Lekë note of legal tender, issue of 2007, which retains the same design and dimension features as the 200 Lekë note, issue of 2001.

In the new banknote, security and damage-resistant elements are added or improved. Furthermore, signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department, as well as the year of issue are updated. Older issues of 200 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation along with the new note, issue of 2007.

Obverse: Portrait of Naim Frashëri (1846-1900), one of the most distinguished writers of the Albanian Renaissance; an open book in the background.

Reverse: 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.  

Current banknotes

Current banknotes

There are currently eight different denominations of Bank of Albania notes in circulation.

Security features help you to identify genuine banknotes. Click on the right of any image below or to the left menu and learn more about the respective security and design features of each note.

200 Lekë Note, 1992 issue

500 Lekë Note, 1996 issue

1000 Lekë Note, 1992 issue

1000 Lekë Note, 1996 issue

2000 Lekë Note

5000 Lekë Note

200 lekë Note, issue of 1992

200 lekë Note, issue of 1992

• 200 Lekë Note was first printed in 1992 in China. The notes are signed by the Governor of the Bank of Albania and the Director of Issue Department.
• "De La Rue" Company reprinted the same denomination in 1994 with the same security features, but the year and the signatures are different. That note was put in circulation on 02.06.1994.
• The same denomination was reprinted in 1996 by "Tumba Bruk" (Sweden) with improved security features, and was put in circulation on 11.07.1997

100 Lekë Note, issue of 1993

100 Lekë Note, issue of 1993
 

• 100 Lekë Note, issue of 1993, was printed in the Bank of Albania Printing House. There are two versions of this note, which differ from one another from the year, 1993 and 1994. They were respectively issued in 16.03.1993 and 25.04.1994.
• The same denomination was reprinted in 1996  by "Tumba Bruk" (Sweden), with improved security features, and put in circulation on 08.05.1997.

Banknotes withdrawn from circulation

500 Lekë Note - issues of 1991, 1992 ,1993, 1996, 1997  

Face value: 1000 Size: 178 mm x 78 mm Dominant colour: green Date first issued: 01.10.1992 Front side: A portrait of Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, and the ornate value numeral.  Back side: Skanderbeg's emblem in the centre, Castle of Kruja on the left and the value numeral on the right.  More Banknote expiry date: Date ceased to be legal tender:  31 March 2011. As of 1 April 2011  it may no longer be used as a means of payment It can be collected and exchanged at 100 % of its face value at the banking system windows. Collection term expires on 31 December 2023.

 

500 Lekë Note - issues of 1991, 1992 ,1993, 1996, 1997

Face Value: 500 Lekë Size: 159 mm x 79 mm Dominant colour:  sky blue and orange Date first issued: 28.06.1991 Front side: A woman with a sunflower, ornate value numeral on the right.  Back side:   A landscape of Albanian mountains.   Banknote expiry date: Date ceased to be legal tender: 30 June 2010. As of 1 July 2010  it may no longer be used as a means of payment. It can be collected and exchanged at 100 % of its face value at the banking system windows.  Collection term expires on 31 December 2023.

500 Lekë Note - issue of 1992

Face Value: 500 Lekë  Size: 145 mm x 68 mm  Dominant colour: blue   Date first issued: 01.10.1992  Front side:  Portrait of Naim Frashëri (1846-1900), a prominent writer of the Albanian Renaissance. Back side: At the centre, a candle with some of Frashëri’s verses; on the left, an opened book with a landscape depicted on its pages. The value numeral appears on the right side of the note. Banknote expiry date: Date ceased to be legal tender: 30 June 2010. As of 1 July 2010  it may no longer be used as a means of payment. It can be collected and exchanged at 100 % of its face value at the banking system windows.  Collection term expires on 31 December 2023.

100 Lekë Note

Face Value: 100 Lekë Size: 130 x 66 mm Letter: high quality security cotton paper  Dominant colour: Hyacinth  Date first issued: 11.07.1997 Front side: The portrait of Fan S. Noli (1882-1965), politician, writer, and one of the most popular figures of the National Movement. There is also a blazing torch.  Back side: The building of the first Albanian Parliament (now the building of the Academy of Sciences), the logo of the Albanian Federation "Vatra” and the logo of the newspaper "Dielli" run by Fan. S. Noli .   More Banknote expiry date: Date ceased to be legal tender: 31December 2008. As of 1January 2009 it may no longer be used as a means of payment. It can be collected and exchanged at 100 % of its face value, at the banking system windows.  Collection term expires on 31 December 31 2023.

100 Lekë Note -  issue of 1993

Face Value: 100 Lekë  Size: 154 x 72 mm  Letter: High quality security cotton paper Dominant colour: Hyacinth Date first issued: 25.04.1994  Front side: An unidentified portrait and the ornate value numeral.  Back side: Mountainous landscape with an eagle in the centre. The value numeral is on the right side of the note. More   Banknote expiry date: Date ceased to be legal tender: 31 December 2008. As of 1 January 2009 it may no longer be used as a means of payment. It can be collected and exchanged at 100 % of its face value, at the banking system windows. Collection term expires on 31 December 2023.

200 Lekë Note - issue of 1992

Face Value: 200 Size: 162 x 78 mm Dominant colour: Brown Date first issued: 01.10.1992 Front side: The portrait of Ismail Qemali and the value numeral are at the centre. Back side: An eagle is in the centre and the front part of the historical building of Albania’s Independence. More . Banknote expiry date: Date ceased to be legal tender: 31 December 2008. As of 1 January 2009 it may no longer be used as a means of payment. It can be collected and exchanged at 100 % of its face value, at the banking system windows. Collection term expires on 31 December 2023.

Coin on the topic "Mother Tereza"

Coin on the topic "Mother Tereza"

Denomination: 200 Lekë Weight: 15.50 gr. Metal: Gold Fineness: 900/1000 Diameter: 25.45 mm Mintage: 1 000 pcs Drawings: Ardian Isufi

The central image of the obverse is a stylised flying dove, as a symbol of peace. The colour of the lines of the dove and of the arches in the lower section of the obverse matches the colour of Mother Teresa's headscarf and sari lines. Below the dove, the nominal value, 200 Lekë, is written. The upper section features two symetric olive branches, as a symbol of peace that Mother Teresa spread throughout the nations. 

The reverse shows a portrait of Mother Teresa, centred. The name “NËNË TEREZA” (i.e. Mother Teresa) is inscribed along the top edge, between the year of her birth and the year of her death. Below the portrait, her real name “Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu” is inscribed. On the lower edge, the words “SHQIPËRI – ALBANIA 2012” are written.

Coin series on the topic of "100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence"

Coin series on the topic of "100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence"

Denomination: 200 Lekë Metal: Gold Fineness: 917/1000 Weight: 15.50 gr Diameter: 25.45 mm Edge: serrated Mintage: 1 000 pcs Drawings: Petraq Papa.

The obverse features in the centre the double-headed eagle of the independence flag that was raised in Vlora. Below is written the nominal value of 200 Lek. They both give the idea as if they lean on the banister of the balcony of the house where the independence flag was raised. Above the eagle is inscribed “100 VJET PAVARËSI”. Stylised tassels frame the flag that appears on this side of the coin.

The reverse features in the centre the effigy of Ismail Qemali and his name below. On both shoulders of Ismail Qemali rest the years 1912 and 2012, which are respectively the year when the flag of independence was raised in Vlora and the year of the 100th Anniversary of Independence. Like an aureole, “SHQIPËRI – ALBANIA” is written in capital letters above the head. Stylised tassels frame the flag above them.

Denomination: 100 Lekë Metal: Silver Fineness: 925 / 1000 Weight: 30 gr Diameter: 38 mm Edge: serrated Mintage: 1 000 pcs Drawings: Orgest Tafa

The obverse features in the centre the double-headed eagle of the flag that was raised in Vlora. The nominal value 100 Lek is written in raised print. On the upper section is written ‘’28 nëntor 1912’’ and on the lower section words “100 VJET PAVARËSI” are placed vertically. This covers a time span of 100 years of Albania’s history. An imaginary circle has 100 little stars that enclose the drawing.

The reverse is split in two circles. The Independence Act is in the centre. The second circle features “SHQIPËRI- ALBANIA 2012” on the upper section and the lower section “AKTI I SHPALLJES SË PAVARËSISË”. An imaginary circle has 100 little stars that enclose the drawing.
 

Denomination: 50 Lekë Alloy: CuNiZn Colour: Yellow Weight: 12 gr Diameter: 27.25 mm Edge: serrated Mintage: 10 000 pcs Drawings:Gentjan Gjikopulli

The obverse features in the centre the double-headed eagle of the flag that was raised in Vlora. It is placed in direct relation to the modern and contemporary element of number of years, 1912-2012, in the form of a digital clock, an evidence of our modern times that harmonises the present days and the importance of this historical event in present days. On the upper section is written “100 VJET PAVARËSI” and on the lower section its nominal value of 50 Lek. On both sides, there are eagles on the arches. 

The reverse features in the centre the symbolic sculpture with two hands joined firmly together, which is used intentionally to convey two main messages of the Independence Act: - independence and secession from the long rule of other states and – and, on the other hand, the immense value of coming together in a unified state. On the side is written “Besëlidhja” and the name of the sculptor, Asim Lokaj. On the upper section is written “SHQIPËRI – ALBANIA” and on the lower section the year 2012. On both sides, there are eagles on the arches.

“Codex Purpureus Beratinus 043 Φ”

“Codex Purpureus Beratinus 043 Φ”

Denomination: 50 Lekë Metal: Silver Finness: 925/1000 Weight: 90 g. Diameter: 60 mm Mintage: 1.000 copë Drawings: Brikena Bërdo

Obverse: The face value “50 lek” is incscribed at the centre of the coin with characters taken from the Codex. The UNESCO emblem “Memorie Du Monde” is depicted above it. Two purple s divide the inscriptions “Kodiku i Purpurt i Beratit 043” from “Beratinus –1”, written along the marginal circle.

Reverse: “Shqipëri – Albania” is inscribed on the upper margin. The year of issue “2011” is inscribed on the lower margin, on a bacground of cocentric circles. Verses from the Codex appear at the center of the coin, raised into a relief on a purple background. The letters of the Codex are written in silver; two of them are written in gold

On the theme: “Codex Purpureus Beratinus 043 Φ”

Codex Purpureus Beratinus is one of the most valuable items Albania has inherited from the Middle Ages. According to the Chronicle of Skuripeq, the Codex had been in Berat since 1356. The locals had saved the codex from the hands of a number of aggressors by hiding it in the tower of the castle, along with 25 other books.

For almost five centuries, nothing had been heard of the this Codex until 1868, when the bishop of Berat Metropolis, Anthimis Alexoudes, mentioned three purple codices that were found in the castle of Berat. Thereafter, the codex recaptured the attention of the scholars and the general public. According to the tradition, the codex was concealed in times of peril (war or occupation) and the hiding place was not given in until the restoration of peace. Hence, the codex remained in Berat and survived intensive efforts by various armies to seize it, throughout the centuries. We do not know when the codex was last hidden, but in July 1968 it was discovered in an undercroft in the sanctuary of the Dormition of the Theotokos (present-day Onufri museum) in the castle of Berat. The codex was in poor conditions due to moisture. In 1971, it was restored by the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Science and, upon return to Albania, was sent to at the Albanian National Archive, which houses it to date.

Codex Purpureus Beratinus is part of the Codices of Albania Fund (F 488) of the Albanian National Archives, File 1. It is also referred to as Beratinus Purpureus Φ 043. The codex comprises 190 pages, 230 x 215 mm and contains the text of the Gospels according to Saint Matthew and Saint Mark. The text is written on purple parchment (significantly deteriorated). Each page has the text written in two columns with 17 verses each. The letters are written in silver instead of common ink but the nomina sacra are written in gold. The first verse of the Gospel according to Saint Mark is also written in gold. The manuscript is written in majuscules. The only decor of the Codex is found on page 112, at the end of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. The decor depicts a drawing in the shape of a portico, heading towards the right side. The portico’s stripes are filled with zigzag and ornate motifs. The codicological traits suggest that the Codex dates in the VI century, enlisting it among the five purple codices from this century. The place of its production, according to Codex data, is believed to be Constantinople or some other centre for producing Byzantine imperial books.

Beratinus-1 is the oldest historical document conserved in Albania. As a precious item and living testimony of Christianity in Albania, this Codex has singular values that connect the country’s present to the past and contribute substantially to the cultural continuity of Albanians throughout the centuries.
Considered as an object of unique values in historic and cultural terms for Albania and the world, Codex Purpureus Beratinus 1 was inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2005.

Coins are produced from "Royal Canadian Mint", Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.