Albanian lek

Albanian lek
Leku Shqiptar  (Albanian)
ISO 4217
Code	ALL
Denominations
Plural	Lekë
Symbol	ALL
Banknotes
Freq. used	200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 Lekë
Coins
Freq. used	5, 10, 20, 50, 100 lekë
Rarely used	1 lek
Demographics
Date of introduction	16 February 1926
User(s)	Albania
Issuance
Central bank	Bank of Albania
Website	www.bankofalbania.org
Valuation
Inflation	2.1%
Source	The World Factbook, 2009 est.

The lek (Albanian: Leku Shqiptar; plural lekë) (sign: L; code: ALL) is the official currency of Albania. It is subdivided into 100 qindarka (singular qindarkë), although qindarka are no longer issued.

History

Alexander the Great on the first Albanian 1 lek coin.

The lek was introduced as the first Albanian currency in February 1926.^[1]

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 Scutari, Durazzo, Valona, and Argyro-Castro, and the Greek drachma at Kortcha, the values of which varied according to locality and the prevailing rates of exchange as compared with gold.^[2]

Etymology

The lek was named after Alexander the Great,^[3] whose name is often shortened to Leka in Albanian.^[4] Alexander's portrait appeared on the obverse of the 1 lek coin, while the reverse showed him on his horse.

The name qindarkë comes from the Albanian qind, meaning one hundred. The word is thus similar in formation to centime, cent, etc.

Franga

Between 1926 and 1939 the name Franga was used for Albanian gold currency worth five Albanian Leke for use in international transactions.^[5] A similar alternate name Belga was used for units of five Belgian francs.

Coins

First lek

In 1926, bronze coins were introduced in denominations of 5 and 10 qindar leku, together with nickel  ¹⁄₄,  ¹⁄₂ and 1 lek, and silver 1, 2 and 5 franga ar. The obverse of the franga coins depict Amet Zogu. In 1935, bronze 1 and 2 qindar ar were issued, equal in value to the 5 and 10 qindar leku. This coin series depicted distinct neoclassical motifs, said to have been influenced by the Italian king Victor Emmanuel III who was known to have been a coin collector. These coins depict the mint marks "R" or "V" indicating Rome or Venice.

Under the direction of Benito Mussolini, Italy invaded and occupied Albania and issued a new series of coins in 1939 in denominations 0.20, 0.50, and 1 lek in stainless steel, and silver 2, 5, and 10 lek were introduced, with the silver coins only issued that year. Aluminium-bronze 0.05 and 0.10 lek were then introduced in 1940. These coins were issued until 1941 and bear the portrait of Italian King Victor Emmanuel III on the obverse and the Italian eagle and fasces on the reverse.

In 1947, shortly after the communist party took power, older coins were withdrawn from circulation and a new coinage was introduced, consisting of zinc  ¹⁄₂, 1, 2 and 5 lekë. These all depicted the socialist national crest. This coinage was again minted in 1957 and used until the currency reform of 1965.

Second lek

In 1965, aluminium coins (dated 1964) were introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 qindar and 1 lek. All coins depict the socialist state emblem.

In 1969, a second series of aluminum 5, 10, 20, 50 qindar and 1 lek coins was released commemorating the 1944 liberation from fascism. The three smallest denominations remained similar in design to the 1964 series but depicted "1944-1969" on the obverse. The 50 qindarka and lek coins depicted patriotic and military images.

In 1988, a third redesign of aluminum 5, 10, 20, 50 qindarka and 1 lek coins was released. The 50 qindarka and 1 lek coins were problematically identical in size, weight, and appearance so aluminum-bronze 1 lek coins with the inscription "Republika Popullore Socialiste e Shqipërisë" were released later that year for better identification. In 1989, a cupro nickel 2 leke coin was introduced. All three of these coin series remained in circulation during and shortly after the 1991 revolution.

Third lek

In 1995 and 1996, new coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 lekë, with a bimetallic 100 lekë added in 2000.

Coins of the lek (1995–present)[6]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	minting	issue	withdrawal	lapse
----	1 lek	18 mm	3.00 g	Cu Zn5	Plain	Nominal value, branches artistically carved in the form of a crown.	A pelican in the center, "Republika e Shqipërisë", year	1996 2008	1 January 1997	current
----	5 lekë	20 mm	3.00 g	Fe Ni6 St			eagle from the Flag of Albania, "Republika e Shqipërisë", year	1995 2000 2011
----	10 Lekë	21.25 mm	3.600 g	Cu Al6 Ni2	Serrated	Nominal value, branches artistically carved in the form of a crown.	Berat Castle, "Republika e Shqipërisë", year	1996 2000 2009	1 January 1997
----	20 Lekë	22.5 mm	5.00 g				Liburni ship,"Republika e Shqipërisë", year of issue.	1996 2000 2012
----	50 Lekë	24.25 mm	5.500 g	Cu75 Ni25	Serrated	Nominal value, branches artistically carved in the form of a crown.	Portrait of the Illyrian King Gentius."Republika e Shqipërisë", year	1996 2000	1 January 1997
----	100 Lekë	24.75 mm	6.700 g	Cu Ni25 (ring), Cu Al6 Ni2 (center)		Nominal value, branches artistically carved in the form of a crown.	Portrait of the Illyrian Queen Teuta,"Republika e Shqipërisë", year	2000	1 September 2000
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Commemorative coins

In 2001, 100 and 200 Leke were issued under the theme of Albania's integration into the EU and 50, 100, and 200 Leke under the 500th anniversary of the Statue of David. In 2002, 50 Leke and 100 Leke were issued for the 90th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania and 20 Leke under the Albanian Antiquity theme. In 2003, 50 Leke was issued in memory of the 100th anniversary of the death of Jeronim De Rada. In 2004, 50 Leke was issued under the Albanian Antiquty theme depicting traditional costumes of Albania and the ancient Dea. In 2005, 50 Leke were issued for the 85th anniversary of the proclamation of Tirana as capital and the theme of traditional costumes of Albania.

Banknotes

First lek

In 1926, the National Bank of Albania (Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis) introduced notes in denominations of 1, 5, 20 and 100 franka ari. In 1939, notes were issued denominated as 5 and 20 franga. These were followed in 1944 with notes for 2, 5 and 10 lek and 100 franga.

In 1945, the People's Bank of Albania (Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar) issued overprints on National Bank notes for 10 lek, 20 and 100 franga. Regular notes were also issued in 1945 in denominations of 1, 5, 20, 100 and 500 franga. In 1947, the lek was adopted as the main denominations, with notes issued for 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 lekë.

1947 series
Obverse	Reverse	Value	Colour	Obverse	Reverse
		10 lekë	Peach	Partisan	Geometric designs
		50 lekë	Dark green	Partisan	Geometric designs
		100 lekë	Dark blue	Partisan	Geometric designs
		500 lekë	Brown	Partisan	Geometric designs
		1,000 lekë	Dark blue/multicoloured	Partisan	Geometric designs
1949 and 1957 series
Obverse	Reverse	Value	Colour	Obverse	Reverse
		10 lekë	Red	Coat of arms	Coat of arms
		50 lekë	Dark blue	Skanderbeg	Partisan
		100 lekë	Green	Partisan	Geometric designs
		500 lekë	Orange/blue	Wheat harvesting, Skanderbeg	Peasant woman with wheat
		1,000 lekë	Purple	Skanderbeg, oil wells	A miner

Second lek

In 1965, notes (dated 1964) were introduced by the Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 lekë. A second series of notes was issued in 1976 when the country changed its name to the People's Socialist Republic.

1964 and 1976 series
Obverse	Reverse	Value	Colour	Obverse	Reverse
		1 lek	Green	Peasant couple with wheat	Castle of Shkodër
		3 lekë	Brown	Woman carrying basket of fruit	Vlora
		5 lekë	Dark blue	Steam train and truck	Ship
		10 lekë	Green	Woman working in a textile mill	Bureaucrats and peasants socializing outside the Palace of Culture, Naim Frashëri
		25 lekë	Dark blue	Woman with wheat, combine harvesting	Mechanized ploughing
		50 lekë	Red	Army on parade, Skanderbeg	Rifle, pickaxe, apartment block under construction
		100 lekë	Scarlet	Man showing his son a new hydroelectric dam	Steelworker with oil worker, gesturing grandly, steelworks and oil wells in background
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.
Undated issue (1985)
Obverse	Reverse	Value	Colour	Obverse	Reverse
		100 lekë	Blue	Steelworker pouring an ingot, steelworks in background	Mountains and oil wells

Third lek

500 lekë notes were introduced on 28 June 1991, followed by denominations of 200 and 1000 lekë on 1 October 1992.

1991 Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description		Date of
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse	printing	issue	withdrawal	lapse
		100 lekë	159 × 77 mm	Purple	Oil refinery	Oil wells, steelworkers, steelworks	1991
		500 lekë	155 × 75 mm	Light blue	Girl with sunflowers	Mountains	1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997	28 June 1991[7]	1 July 2010[7]	1 January 2024[7]
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

1992 series

1992 Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description		Date of
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse	first printing	issue	withdrawal	lapse
		100 lekë	154 × 72 mm	Violet	National fighter	Eagle and mountains	1994	25 April 1994	1 January 2009[7]	1 January 2024[7]
		200 lekë	162 × 78 mm	Brown	Ismail Qemali	Coat of arms of Albania, declaration of independence of Albania	1992	1 October 1992
		500 lekë	170 × 78 mm	Blue	Naim Frashëri	Poetry of Frashëri			1 July 2010[7]
		1000 lekë	178 × 78 mm	Green	Skanderbeg	Krujë Castle			1 April 2011[7]
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

1996 series

On 11 July 1997, a new series of banknotes dated 1996 was introduced.^[8]

Notes dated 1996 were printed by De La Rue in the United Kingdom.

1996 Series[9]
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description		Date of
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse	printing	withdrawal	lapse
		100 Lekë	130 × 66 mm	Purple	Fan S. Noli	First Albanian Parliament building	1996	1 January 2009[7]	1 January 2024[7]
		200 Lekë	138 × 69 mm	Orange	Naim Frashëri	Birthplace of Frashëri	1996, 2001, 2007,[10] 2012	Current
		500 Lekë	145 × 68 mm	Blue	Ismail Qemali	Vlorë independence building	1996, 2001, 2007
		1000 Lekë	151 × 72 mm	Green	Pjetër Bogdani	Church of Vau	1996, 2001, 2007, 2011
		2000 Leke	160 x 72mm	Purple	King Gent; three ancient coins	Amphitheatre at Butrinto (near Saranda), yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea)	2007
		5000 Lekë	160 × 72 mm	Gold	Skanderbeg	Krujë Castle	1996, 2001, 2007, 2013
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

Exchange rates

Current ALL exchange rates
From Google Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From Yahoo! Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From XE:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From OANDA:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From fxtop.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD

See also

• Economy of Albania

References

1. Bank of Albania. Available at:http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/A_brief_history_of_the_Bank_of_Albania_5338_2.php
2. Trade Information Bulletin, Numbers 79 to 118, 1923
3. Leslie Alan Dunkling; Adrian Room (1 January 1990). The Guinness Book of Money. Guinness Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-85112-399-8. ...the lek takes its name from the abbreviated name of Alexander the Great, who was associated with this region of Europe...
4. Howard M. Berlin (2006). World Monetary Units: An Historical Dictionary, Country By Country. McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7864-2080-3. ...The current monetary unit, the lek, is derived from the abbreviation of the Albanian spelling of Alexander the Great...
5. http://taxfreegold.co.uk/albania.html
6. Bank of Albania. Available at:http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Monedha_te_qarkullimit_43_1.php#1
7. Bank of Albania. Available at:http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Kartemonedha_pa_kurs_ligjor_5264_1.php
8. Bank of Albania. Available at: http://www.bankofalbania.org
9. Bank of Albania. Available at: http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Kartemonedha_te_qarkullimit_202_1.php
10. Bank of Albania. Available at:http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/200_leke_5653_1.php

• Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.
• Pick, Albert (1994). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues. Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) (7th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.

External links

• Albanian Lek: Full detailed Catalog of Banknotes of Albania since 1926
• All Albanian coins and additional information
• Coin Types from Albania Lists, pictures, and values of Albanian coin types
• Albanian Banknotes
• All series of Banknotes, Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
• Historical and current banknotes of Albania
• Current banknotes of Albania