About Albanian Lek
The official currency of Albania is known as Albanian lek. It is known as Leku Shqiptar in the Albanian language. Albanian lek can be subdivided into 100 qindarka. Albanian qind signifies one hundred and has the same meaning as centime¸ cent¸ centesimo¸ stotinka¸ eurocent¸ etc.
However¸ qindarka is no longer in use.
Albanian lek was first introduced in the year 1926 by by King Ahmet Zogu. The first Lek that was issued had been named after Alexander the Great. The picture of Alexander was at the front of the 1 Lek while in the reverse side¸ there was the picture of Alexander riding a horse.
The Albanian lek ISO 4217 Code is ALL and the symbol of Albanian Lek is L.
Albanian Lek Coins Types
First Lek
5 and 10 qindar leku bronze coins were introduced in the economy of Albania in the year 1926. During this time¸ nickel ¼¸ ½ and 1 lek¸ and silver 1¸ 2 and 5 franga ar was also issued. Bronze 1 and 2 qindar were introduced in the year 1935 which had the equal value of 5 and 10 qindar leku.
Stainless-steel 0.20¸ 0.50¸ 1 and 2 lek and silver 5 and 10 lek were issued after the Italian invasion and the aluminium-bronze 0.05 and 0.10 lek in 1940. These coins were circulated until 1941.
1947 saw the introduction of a new coin¸ consisting of zinc ½¸ 1¸ 2 and 5 lekë. They were only circulated until the currency reform of 1965.
Second Lek
Aluminium coins in denominations of 5¸ 10¸ 20 and 50 qindar and 1 lek was issued in the year 1965.
1¸ 5¸ 10¸ 20 and 50 lekë was issued in 1995 and 1996. A bimetallic 100 lekë was added to the coinage system in 2000.
The lekë have various designs with the inscription Republika e Shqipërisë (Republic of Albania) and the year of production. Here is alist of some:
- 1 Lek: Pelican
- 5 Lekë: The eagle from the Flag of Albania
- 10 Lekë: Castle of Berat city
- 20 Lekë: Liburnian ship
- 50 Lekë: Portrait of the Illyrian King Gentius
- 100 Lekë: Portrait of the Illyrian Queen Teuta
Albanian Lek Banknotes Types
Albanian Lek Banknotes Types - First Lek
The National Bank of Albania issued notes in denominations of 1¸ 5¸ 20 and 100 franka ari in the year 1926. Notes of 20 franga were added in the year 1939 and these denominations continued in 1944 with notes for 2¸ 5 and 10 lek and 100 franga.
In 1945¸ notes for 10 lek¸ 20 and 100 franga were introduced with the overprints of People's Bank of Albania on the National Bank notes. Notes of denominations of 1¸ 5¸ 20¸ 100 and 500 franga was also issued during that time. In 1947¸ notes were issued for 10¸ 50¸ 100¸ 500 and 1000 lekë.
Albanian Lek Banknotes Types - Second Lek
Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar introduced notes in 1965 of denominations of 1¸ 3¸ 5¸ 10¸ 25¸ 50 and 100 lekë. This was again repeated in 1976 when the name of the country changed to the People's Socialist Republic.
Albanian Lek Banknotes Types - Third Lek
500 lekë were introduced in the year 1991¸ 200 and 1000 lekë followed in 1992¸ while 5000 lekë in 1996.
Currency Exchange Rate to other World Famous Currencies like US¸ UK etc
As of February 17th¸ 2011¸ the currency exchange rates of Albanian Lek to the currencies of US and UK are:
1.00 USD = 102.830 ALL
1.00 GBP = 165.464 ALL
However¸ the values are floating¸ and the exchange rates always tend to change according to the money market trends.
Official website details of Albanian Lek
Check the www.bankofalbania.org for additional details on Albanian lek.
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