View source for Albanian lek

{{Short description|Albanian currency}}
{{Redirect|Lekë|other uses|Leke (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox currency
| local_name = Leku Shqiptar
| local_name_lang = sq
| image_1 = Albania-5000.jpg
| image_title_1 = 5000 Lekë banknote
| image_2 = Albanien2.jpg
| image_title_2 = Lekë coins
| iso_code = ALL
| iso_comment = before 1990: {{ISO 4217|ALK}}
| issuing_authority = [[Bank of Albania]]
| issuing_authority_website = {{URL|www.bankofalbania.org}}
| date_of_introduction = 16 February 1926
| date_of_introduction_source = 
| using_countries = {{flag|Albania}}
| inflation_rate = 2.6%
| inflation_source_date = ''[https://www.bankofalbania.org/Politika_Monetare/Objektivi_dhe_strategjia/]'' 2024
| subunit_ratio_1 = {{frac|1|100}}
| subunit_name_1 = qindarkë
| unit = lek
| plural = lekë
| plural_subunit_1 = qindarka
| frequently_used_coins = 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 Lekë
| rarely_used_coins = [[1 lek|1 Lek]], 50 Lekë (2003 series)
| coin_article = 
| frequently_used_banknotes = 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 Lekë
| rarely_used_banknotes = 10,000 Lekë
| symbol = L
| symbol_subunit_1 = 
}}

The '''lek''' ({{langx|sq|leku shqiptar}}; indefinite singular ''lek'', definite plural ''lekët'', indefinite plural ''lekë''; [[Currency symbol|sign]]: '''L''';<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_World_Factbook_(1990)/Albania|title=CIA World Factbook 1990 - page 3 |chapter=Albania |date=1 April 1990 |access-date=2022-06-22 }}</ref> [[ISO 4217|code]]: '''ALL''') is the [[currency]] of [[Albania]]. Historically, it was subdivided into 100 ''qintars'' ({{langx|sq|qindarka}}; singular ''qindarkë'').

==History==
[[File:ALB-1lek1926.jpg|thumb|right|[[Alexander the Great]] on the first Albanian 1&nbsp;Lek coin.]]
The lek was introduced as the first Albanian currency in February 1926.<ref>Bank of Albania. Available at:{{cite web |url=http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/A_brief_history_of_the_Bank_of_Albania_5338_2.php |title=A brief history of the Bank of Albania |access-date=2014-11-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025184745/http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/A_brief_history_of_the_Bank_of_Albania_5338_2.php |archive-date=25 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

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. During the occupation of Albania by [[Austria-Hungary]], paper notes of the [[Austro-Hungarian krone]] were imposed on the population. Although transactions using krone notes were limited to exchanges between Albanians and the occupiers, the majority of the population used gold and silver piastre or, gave up on money altogether and [[barter]]ed instead.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kera |first1=Gentiana |last2=Pandelejmoni |first2=Enriketa |title=Austrian-Hungarian Military Administration in Albania During World War I |journal=Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade |date=2022 |pages=31–50 |url=http://real.mtak.hu/165491/ |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> In 1923 Italian paper circulated at [[Shkodër]], [[Durrës]], [[Vlorë]], and [[Gjirokastër]], and the [[Modern drachma|Greek drachma]] at [[Korçë]], the values of which varied according to locality and the prevailing rates of exchange as compared with gold.<ref>''Trade Information Bulletin'', Numbers 79 to 118, 1923</ref>

===Gold standard===
From 1926–1939, the Albanian leke adhered to the [[gold standard]] ''de jure'' with leke banknotes being convertible to gold. The leke's conversion to gold was guaranteed and the issue of gold francs was limited to three million units.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ceca |first1=Kliti |last2=Rexha |first2=Kelmend |last3=Orhan |first3=Elsida |title=Banking and Finance in South-Eastern Europe: the Albanian Case |journal=Bank of Greece |date=2008 |volume=84 |ssrn=4165566 |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4165566 |access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> Due to the gold standard, up until 1939, the leke did not experience significant inflation and the currency in circulation remained relatively constant.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jürgen Fischer |first1=Bernd |title=Albania at War 1939-1945 |date=1999 |publisher=C Hurst & Co |location=United Kingdom |isbn=1-85065-531-6 |page=48}}</ref> Following the [[Italian invasion of Albania]], the entire gold reserves of Albania, totaling 300,000 gold francs, were confiscated and sent to the [[Reichsbank]] in Berlin. This action, coupled with the introduction of the Italian lira in Albania, led to significant inflation and the devaluation of the leke.<ref>{{cite book |last1=State |first1=US Dept of. |title=Foreign Relations of the United States: 1946 |date=1970 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=United States of America |page=806}}</ref>

===Etymology===
The lek was named after [[Alexander the Great]],<ref name="DunklingRoom1990">{{cite book|author1=Leslie Alan Dunkling|author2=Adrian Room|title=The Guinness Book of Money|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MbSaAAAAIAAJ|date=1 January 1990|publisher=Guinness Publishing|isbn=978-0-85112-399-8|page=67|quote="...the lek takes its name from the abbreviated name of Alexander the Great, who was associated with this region of Europe..."}}</ref> whose name is often shortened to ''Leka'' in Albanian.<ref name="Berlin2006">{{cite book|author=Howard M. Berlin|title=World Monetary Units: An Historical Dictionary, Country By Country|url=https://archive.org/details/worldmonetaryuni00berl|url-access=registration|year=2006|publisher=McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub|isbn=978-0-7864-2080-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/worldmonetaryuni00berl/page/8 8]|quote="...The current monetary unit, the lek, is derived from the abbreviation of the Albanian spelling of Alexander the Great..."}}</ref> Alexander's portrait appeared on the [[obverse and reverse|obverse]] of the 1 lek coin, while the reverse showed him on his horse.

The word ''qindarkë'' comes from the [[Albanian language|Albanian]] ''qind'', meaning one hundred, or from [[Arabic]] ''qintār'' ("hundredweight"). The word is thus comparable to ''[[centime]]'', [[Cent (currency)|cent]], Latin ''centenarius'', etc.

===Franga===
Between 1926 and 1939, the main unit of Albanian currency was the ''[[franga|franga ari]]'' (English: ''gold franc'') (Fr.A.), worth 5&nbsp;Lek and divided into 100 ''qindar ar'' (''gold cent''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bankofalbania.org/Currency/Numismatics/Coins_minted_from_1926_to_1945/|title=Coins minted from 1926 to 1945 |website=bankofalbania.org |date= |access-date=2022-06-22}}</ref> used in international transactions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://taxfreegold.co.uk/albania.html|title=Albanian Gold Coins – Albania|website=taxfreegold.co.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205005140/http://taxfreegold.co.uk/albania.html|archive-date=5 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This unit was similar in concept to the ''[[Belgian franc#History|Belga]]'', a unit worth five [[Belgian franc]]s.

==Coins==

===First lek===
In 1926, bronze coins were introduced in denominations of 5 and 10 qintars, together with nickel {{frac|1|4}}&nbsp;Lek, {{frac|1|2}}&nbsp;Lek and 1&nbsp;Lek, and silver [[franga|Fr.A.]]&nbsp;1, Fr.A.&nbsp;2 and Fr.A.&nbsp;5 . The obverse of the franc coins depicts [[King of Albania|King]] [[Zog I of Albania|Zog]]. In 1935, bronze 1 and 2 gold cents were issued, equal in value to the 5 and 10 qintars respectively. 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", "V" or "L", indicating Rome, Vienna or London.

Under the direction of [[Benito Mussolini]], Italy invaded and occupied Albania and issued a new series of coins in 1939 in denominations of Lek&nbsp;0.20, Lek&nbsp;0.50, 1&nbsp;Lek and 2 &nbsp;Lek in stainless steel, and silver 5&nbsp;Lek, and 10&nbsp;Lek. Aluminium-bronze Lek&nbsp;0.05 and Lek&nbsp;0.10 were introduced in 1940. A fixed exchange with the [[Italian lira]] was established at 5:6.25 (1&nbsp;Lek = Lit.1.25, or Fr.A.1 = Lit.6.25). These coins were issued until 1941 and bear the portrait of Italian King Victor Emmanuel III on the obverse and the Albanian eagle with [[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 {{frac|1|2}}&nbsp;Lek, 1&nbsp;Lek, 2&nbsp;Lek and 5&nbsp;Lek. These all depicted the socialist national crest. This coinage was again minted in 1957 and used until the currency reform of 1965.

==={{anchor|ALK}}Second lek===
In 1965, a confiscatory monetary form was carried out at a rate of 10:1.

Aluminium coins (dated 1964) were introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 qintars and 1&nbsp;Lek. All coins show the socialist state emblem.

In 1969, a second series of aluminium 5, 10, 20, 50 qintars and 1&nbsp;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 qintar and lek coins showed patriotic and military images.

In 1988, a third redesign of aluminium 5, 10, 20, 50 qintars and 1&nbsp;Lek coins was released. The 50 qindarka and 1&nbsp;Lek coins were problematically identical in size, weight, and appearance, so aluminium-bronze 1&nbsp;Lek coins with the inscription "''Republika Popullore Socialiste e Shqipërisë''" were released later that year for better identification. In 1989, a [[cupro-nickel]] 2&nbsp;Lek coin was introduced.

All three of these coin series remained in circulation during and shortly after the 1991 revolution. On 1 January 1992, those coins lost their legal tender status, effectively making qintars obsolete.

==== Foreign exchange certificates ====
Similar to many other socialist countries, Albania issued [[foreign exchange certificate]]s, which only circulated in specially designated shops, and their exchange into regular lek banknotes was prohibited.

==={{anchor|ALL}}Third lek===
In 1995 and 1996, new coins were introduced in denominations of 1&nbsp;Lek, 5&nbsp;Lekë, 10&nbsp;Lekë, 20&nbsp;Lekë and 50&nbsp;Lekë, with a bimetallic 100&nbsp;Lekë added in 2000.These coins use the letter ''e'' instead of the correct ''ë'', but banknotes are spelt correctly.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
! colspan="12" |Coins of the lek (1995–present)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bankofalbania.org/Currency/Coins_in_circulation/|title= Coins in circulation}}</ref>
|- 
! colspan="2" | Image !! rowspan="2" | Value !! colspan="4" | Technical parameters !!colspan="3"| Description
! colspan="2" |Dates
|-
!Obverse
!Reverse
! Diameter 
!Thickness!! Mass !! Composition !! Edge !! Obverse !! Reverse
!Year of minting
!Year of issue
|-
| [[File:G823.jpg|45px]]
| [[File:G824.jpg|45px]]
| [[1 lek|1&nbsp;Lek]]
| 18.1&nbsp;mm
|1.6&nbsp;mm
| 3&nbsp;g
| Bronze (1996), [[Copper]]-plated [[Steel]] (2008-2013)
| rowspan="2" |Smooth
| A [[pelican]] in the centre,<br />"Republika e Shqipërisë", year
| rowspan="5" | Nominal value,<br />[[branch]]es artistically carved in the form of a crown
|1996, 2008, 2013
|1996
|-
| [[File:G901.jpg|50px]]
| [[File:G900.jpg|50px]]
| [[5 Lekë]]
| 20&nbsp;mm
|1.6&nbsp;mm
| 3.12&nbsp;g
| [[Nickel]]-plated [[Steel]]
| [[Eagle]] from the [[Flag of Albania]],<br />"Republika e Shqipërisë", year
|1995, 2000, 2011, 2014, 2020
|1995
|-
| [[File:G817.jpg|53px]]
| [[File:G818.jpg|53px]]
| [[10 Lekë]]
| 21.25&nbsp;mm
|1.5&nbsp;mm
| 3.6&nbsp;g
| [[Aluminium bronze|Aluminum-bronze]] (1996-2000), [[Brass]]-plated [[Steel]] (2009-2018)
| rowspan="5" |Milled
| [[Berat Castle]], "Republika e Shqipërisë", year
|1996, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2018
|1996
|-
| [[File:G392.jpg|58px]]
| [[File:G393.jpg|58px]]
| [[20 Lekë]]
| 23&nbsp;mm
|2&nbsp;mm
| 4.6&nbsp;g
| [[Aluminium bronze|Aluminum-bronze]] (1996-2000), [[Brass]]-plated [[Steel]] (2012-2020)
| A [[Liburnians|Liburne]] ship, "Republika e Shqipërisë", year
|1996, 2000, 2012, 2016, 2020
|1996
|-
| [[File:G765.jpg|61px]]
| [[File:G766.jpg|61px]]
| [[50 Lekë]]
| 24.25&nbsp;mm
|1.5&nbsp;mm
| 5.5&nbsp;g
| [[Copper-nickel]]
| Portrait of the [[Illyria]]n [[King Gentius]], Republika e Shqipërisë",<br />year
|1996, 2000, 2020
|1996
|-
|[[File:50 Leke 2003 Reverse.jpg|61px]]
|[[File:50 Leke 2003 Obverse.jpg|61px]]
|[[50 Lekë]]
|24.25&nbsp;mm
|
|5.5&nbsp;g
|[[Copper-nickel]]
|An [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] helmet, "Republika e Shqipërisë", "Antikiteti Shqiptar", year<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Monedha të qarkullimit|url=https://www.bankofalbania.org/Paraja/Monedhat/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=www.bankofalbania.org}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=50 Lekë|url=https://www.bankofalbania.org/Paraja/Monedhat/50_Leke_16484.html|access-date=2022-02-24|website=www.bankofalbania.org}}</ref>
|Nominal value, divided by a horizontal line and in the arch above "Antikiteti Shqiptar"<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
|2003
|2004
|-
| [[File:G920.jpg|62px]]
| [[File:G921.jpg|62px]]
| [[100 Lekë (coin)|100&nbsp;Lekë]]
| 24.75&nbsp;mm
|1.9&nbsp;mm
| 6.7&nbsp;g
| [[Bi-metallic coin|Bi-Metallic]]: [[Aluminium-bronze]] centre in [[Copper-nickel]] ring
| Portrait of the Illyrian [[Queen Teuta]], "Republika e Shqipërisë", year
|Nominal value,<br />[[branch]]es artistically carved in the form of a crown
|2000
|2000
|- 
| colspan="10" |{{Standard coin table notice|standard_scale=Y|BrE=Y}}
|
|
|}

====Commemorative coins====
In 2001, 100&nbsp;Lekë and 200&nbsp;Lekë were issued under the theme of [[Accession of Albania to the European Union|Albania's integration into the EU]] and 50, 100, and 200 lekë under the 500th anniversary of the [[David (Michelangelo)|Statue of David]]. In 2002, 50&nbsp;Lekë and 100&nbsp;Le5k were issued for the 90th Anniversary of the [[Albanian Declaration of Independence|Independence of Albania]] and 20&nbsp;Lek under the Albanian Antiquity theme. In 2003, 50 lekë was issued in memory of the 100th anniversary of the death of [[Jeronim De Rada]]. In 2004, 50&nbsp;Lekë was issued under the Albanian Antiquity theme depicting [[Albanian traditional clothing|traditional costumes of Albania]] and the ancient Dea. In 2005, 50&nbsp;Lekë 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 Fr.A.&nbsp;1, Fr.A.&nbsp;5, Fr.A.&nbsp;20 and Fr.A.&nbsp;100. In 1939, notes were issued in denominations of Fr.A.&nbsp;5 and Fr.A.&nbsp;20. These were followed in 1944 with notes for 2&nbsp;Lek, 5&nbsp;Lek, 10&nbsp;Lek, and Fr.A.&nbsp;100.

In 1945, the People's Bank of Albania (''Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar'') issued overprints on National Bank notes for 10&nbsp;Lek, Fr.A.&nbsp;20 and Fr.A.&nbsp;100. Regular notes were also issued in 1945 in denominations of 1, Fr.A.&nbsp;5, Fr.A.&nbsp;20, Fr.A.&nbsp;100 and Fr.A.&nbsp;500. In 1947, the franga-ari was discontinued and the lek was adopted as the main currency unit, with notes issued for 10&nbsp;Lek, 50&nbsp;Lek, 100&nbsp;Lek, 500&nbsp;Lek and 1000&nbsp;Lek.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!colspan="3"| 1947 series
|-
!Obverse
!Reverse
! Value
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0019o.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0019r.jpg|300 px]]
| 10&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0020o.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0020r.jpg|300 px]]
| 50&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0021o.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0021r.jpg|300 px]]
| 100&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0022o.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0022r.jpg|300 px]]
| 500 lekë
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0023o.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0023r.jpg|300 px]]
| 1,000&nbsp;Lek
|-
!colspan="46"| 1949 and 1957 series
|-
!Obverse
!Reverse
! Value
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|[[File:10 lekë of Albania in 1949 Obverse.png|300 px]]
|[[File:10 lekë of Albania in 1949 Reverse.png|300 px]]
| 10&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|[[File:50 lekë of Albania in 1949 Obverse.png|300 px]]
|[[File:50 lekë of Albania in 1949 Reverse.png|300 px]]
| 50&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|[[File:100 lekë of Albania in 1949 Obverse.png|300 px]]
|[[File:100 lekë of Albania in 1949 Reverse.png|300 px]]
| 100&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|[[File:500 lekë of Albania in 1949 Obverse.png|300 px]]
|[[File:500 lekë of Albania in 1949 Reverse.png|300 px]]
| 500&nbsp;Lek
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|[[File:1000 lekë of Albania in 1949 Obverse.png|300 px]]
|[[File:1000 lekë of Albania in 1949 Reverse.png|300 px]]
| 1,000&nbsp;Lek
|}

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

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|+
|-
! colspan="6" | 1964 and 1976 series
|-
!Obverse
!Reverse
! Value
! Colour
! Obverse
! Reverse
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0033ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0033ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 1&nbsp;Lek
| Green
| Peasant couple with wheat
| [[Rozafa Castle]], [[Shkodër]]
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0034ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0034ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 3&nbsp;Lek
| Brown
| Woman carrying basket of fruit
| [[Vlora]]
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0035ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0035ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 5&nbsp;Lek
| Purple
| Steam train and truck
| Ship
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0036ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0036ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 10&nbsp;Lek
| Green
| Woman working in a textile mill
| Bureaucrats and peasants socializing outside the Palace of Culture, Naim Frashëri
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0037ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0037ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 25&nbsp;Lek
| Dark blue
| Woman with wheat, combine harvesting
| Mechanized ploughing
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0038ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0038ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 50&nbsp;Lek
| Red
| Army on parade, Skanderbeg
| [[Mosin–Nagant]] rifle, pickaxe, apartment block under construction
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| [[File:ALB0039ao.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0039ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 100&nbsp;Lek
| Scarlet
| Man showing his son a new hydroelectric dam
| Steelworker with oil worker, gesturing grandly, steelworks and oil wells in background
|-
| colspan="6" |1991 Series
|-
|[[File:AlbaniaP47a-100Leke-1991-donatedoy b.jpg|frameless|297x297px]]
|[[File:AlbaniaP47a-100Leke-1991-donatedoy f.jpg|frameless|296x296px]]
|100 Lek
|purple
|Steelworkers in front of a factory
|factory
|-
|[[File:500 lek (1991) obverse.jpg|frameless|296x296px]]
|[[File:500 lek (1991) reverse.jpg|frameless|293x293px]]
|500 Lek
|blue, orange
|Woman with sunflowers, denonimation ornament
|Mountain landscape
|}

====1992 series====
Due to the shortage of cash in circulation, in 1992, banknotes of 10 and 50 foreign currency leks (''Lek Valutë'' ) were issued, while their value was increased 50 times: 10 foreign currency leks = 500 leks, 50 foreign currency leks = 2500 leks . The banknotes were in circulation for only one year and were soon replaced by banknotes of the 1992 model. A banknote of 1 currency lek was printed, but not put into circulation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-30 |title=Banknotes issued from 1945-1992 |url=http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Banknotes_issued_from_1945_1992_2044_2.php#1992#1992 |access-date=2023-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430234520/http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Banknotes_issued_from_1945_1992_2044_2.php#1992#1992 |archive-date=30 April 2012 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
! colspan="7" |1992 Series
|-
! colspan="2" | Image !! rowspan="2" | Value !! rowspan="2" | Dimensions !! rowspan="2" | Main Colour !! colspan="2" | Description 
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse !! Obverse !! Reverse 
|-
|[[File:AlbaniaP48A-1LekValute(=50Leke)-(1992)-donated f.jpg|frameless|311x311px]]
|[[File:AlbaniaP48A-1LekValute(=50Leke)-(1992)-donated b.jpg|frameless|272x272px]]
|1 Lek
| rowspan="3" |165×75
|Violet
| rowspan="3" |Steel worker
| rowspan="3" |Electrical transmission towers, hydroelectric generator
|-
|[[File:AlbaniaP49a-10LekValute(=500Leke)-(1992)-donated f.jpg|frameless|300x300px]]
|[[File:AlbaniaP49a-10LekValute(=500Leke)-(1992)-donated b.jpg|frameless|280x280px]]
|10 Lek
|Green
|-
|[[File:AlbaniaP50a-50LekValute(=2500Leke)-(1992)-donated f.jpg|frameless|292x292px]]
|[[File:AlbaniaP50a-50LekValute(=2500Leke)-(1992)-donated b.jpg|frameless|291x291px]]
|50 Lek
|Brown
|-
|  [[File:ALB0055co.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0055cr.jpg|300 px]]
| 100&nbsp;Lek
| 154 × 72&nbsp;mm
| Violet
| National fighter
| Falcon and mountains
|-
|  [[File:ALB0056ao.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0056ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 200&nbsp;Lek
| 162 × 78&nbsp;mm
| Brown
| [[Ismail Qemali]]
| [[Coat of arms of Albania]], declaration of independence of Albania
|-
|  [[File:ALB0057ao.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0057ar.jpg|300 px]]
| 500&nbsp;Lek
| 170 × 78&nbsp;mm
| Blue
| [[Naim Frashëri]]
| Poetry of Frashëri
|-
| [[File:ALB0061co.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:ALB0061cr.jpg|300 px]]
| 1,000&nbsp;Lek
| 178 × 78&nbsp;mm
| Green
| [[Skanderbeg]]
| [[Krujë Castle]]
|-
|}

====1997 series====
On 11 July 1997, a new series of banknotes dated 1996-97 was introduced.<ref>Bank of Albania. Available at: http://www.bankofalbania.org {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203124148/http://www.bankofalbania.org/ |date=3 December 2008 }}</ref>

Notes dated 1996 were printed by [[De La Rue]] in the United Kingdom.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

The 2000 lek note was introduced in 2008.
 
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!colspan="7"|1996 Series<ref name=":0">Bank of Albania. Available at: {{cite web |url=http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Kartemonedha_te_qarkullimit_202_1.php |title=Kartėmonedha tė qarkullimit |access-date=2012-05-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603205703/http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Kartemonedha_te_qarkullimit_202_1.php |archive-date=3 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"| Image !!rowspan="2"| Value !!rowspan="2"| Dimensions !!rowspan="2"| Main Colour !!colspan="2"| Description
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse !! Obverse !! Reverse 
|-
|  [[File:ALB0062o.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0062r.jpg|300 px]]
|  100&nbsp;Lek
| 130 × 66&nbsp;mm
| Purple/Orange
| [[Fan S. Noli]] (1882–1965)
| First [[Albanian Parliament]] building
|-
|  [[File:ALB0071-2012o.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0071-2012r.jpg|300 px]]
|&nbsp;200&nbsp;Lek
| 138 × 69mm
| Brown
|[[Naim Frashëri]] (1846–1900)
| House birthplace of Frashëri
|-
|  [[File:ALB0072-2015o.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0072-2015r.jpg|300 px]]
| 500&nbsp;Lek
| 145 × 68&nbsp;mm
| Blue
| [[Ismail Qemali]] (1844–1919)
| [[Vlorë]] independence building
|-
|  [[File:ALB0073bo.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0073br.jpg|300 px]]
| 1,000&nbsp;Lek
| 151 × 72&nbsp;mm
| Green
| [[Pjetër Bogdani]] (1630–1689)
| Gothic Church of [[Vau-Dejës|Vau]]
|-
|  [[File:ALB0074-2012o.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0074-2012r.jpg|300 px]]
| 2,000&nbsp;Lek
| 160 x 72&nbsp;mm
| Purple
| [[Gentius|King Gent (Gentius)]] (181 BC–168 BC); three ancient coins
| Amphitheatre at Butrinto (near Saranda), yellow gentian (''Gentiana lutea'')
|-
|  [[File:ALB0075-2013o.jpg|300 px]]
|  [[File:ALB0075-2013r.jpg|300 px]]
| 5,000&nbsp;Lek
| 160 × 72&nbsp;mm
| Olive Green
| [[Skanderbeg]] (1405–1468)
| [[Krujë Castle]] 
|-
|}
Since 2011 the 100 lek banknote has been removed out of circulation.

====2019–2022 series====
In 2019, the [[Bank of Albania]] unveiled a new series of banknotes, featuring the same themes as seen on the 1997 series, but with improved security features and a change in material for the 200&nbsp;Lek banknote; now being issued as a [[polymer banknote]].

This series has also introduced a new denomination, the 10,000&nbsp;Lek, its highest denominated banknote issued for general circulation. The first two denominations issued for this series, the 200 and 5,000 lekë banknote were issued for circulation on 30 September 2019, with the 1,000&nbsp;Lek and 10,000&nbsp;Lek banknotes being released on 30 June 2021, and the 2,000&nbsp;Lek and 500&nbsp;Lek banknotes being released on 17 January 2022.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
! colspan="7" |2019–2022 series<ref name=":0" />
|-
! colspan="2" | Image !! rowspan="2" | Value !! rowspan="2" | Dimensions !! rowspan="2" | Main Colour !! colspan="2" | Description
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse !! Obverse !! Reverse 
|-
|[[File:Albania-200lek-voor.jpg|125px]]
|[[File:Albania-200lek-achter.jpg|125px]]
|200&nbsp;Lek
| 125&nbsp;mm x 65&nbsp;mm
| Brown
|[[Naim Frashëri]]
| House birthplace of Frashëri, paper with a famous verse from one of Frashëri's poems
|-
|[[File:500Lek-768x405.png|132px]]
|[[File:Lek500-new-768x406.png|132px]]
| 500&nbsp;Lek
|132&nbsp;mm x 69&nbsp;mm
| Blue
| [[Ismail Qemali]]
| [[Vlorë]] independence building, the telegraph which was used to announce the country's independence, and the room where the decision was made
|-
|[[File:1000lek-768x383.png|139px]]
|[[File:1000lek-new-768x395.png|139px]]
| 1,000&nbsp;Lek
| 139&nbsp;mm x 69&nbsp;mm
| Green
| [[Pjetër Bogdani]]
| Gothic Church of [[Vau-Dejës|Vau]]
|-
|[[File:2000lek-768x376.png|146px]]
|[[File:Albania-2000lek-achter.jpg|146px]]
| 2,000&nbsp;Lek
|146&nbsp;mm x 72&nbsp;mm
| Purple
| [[Gentius|King Gent (Gentius)]]; three ancient coins
| Amphitheatre at [[Butrint]] (near Saranda), yellow gentian (''[[Gentiana lutea]]'')
|-
|[[File:Albania-5000.jpg|153px]]
|[[File:Albania-5000-(July-2019)-back-600dpi.jpg|153px]]
| 5,000&nbsp;Lek
| 153&nbsp;mm x 72&nbsp;mm
|Yellow
| [[Skanderbeg]]
| [[Krujë Castle]], [[Skanderbeg]]'s monument in [[Tirana]]'s [[Skanderbeg Square]], and his helmet
|-
|[[File:ALBW2019-10000o.jpg|160px|]]
|[[File:ALBW2019-10000r.jpg|160px|]]
|10,000&nbsp;Lek
|160&nbsp;mm x 72&nbsp;mm
|Orange
| [[Aleksandër Stavre Drenova|Asdreni]] (1872–1947)
|Figurative symbols of national flag, first two lines from the [[Himni i Flamurit|national anthem]]
|}

==Exchange rates==
{{Exchange rate|ALL}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics}}
* [[Franga]]
* [[Korçë frange]]
* [[Economy of Albania]]

{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{Numis cite SCWC|date=1991}}
*{{Numis cite SCWPM|date=1994}}
{{refend}}
{{Commons category|Money of Albania}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150801050659/http://banknoter.com/s/albania Albanian Lek: Full detailed Catalog of Banknotes of Albania since 1926] (archived 1 August 2015)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110102223337/http://www.bankofalbania.org/web/Banknotes_issued_from_1926_to_1945_2409_2.php?kc=0,6,3,5,0 All Albanian coins and additional information] (archived 2 January 2011)
* [http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/Albania.php Coin Types from Albania] Lists, pictures, and values of Albanian coin types
* [http://www.baudelet.net/monnaies/lek-albanie.htm Albanian Banknotes]
* All series of Banknotes, {{Cite web |url=http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/countries/albania.html |title=Ron Wise's Banknoteworld: Albania |access-date=2 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629052341/http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/countries/albania.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
* [http://www.bis-ans-ende-der-welt.net/Albanien-B-En.htm Historical and current banknotes of Albania]

{{Lek}}
{{Currencies of Europe}}
{{Albania topics}}
{{Currencies of Former Yugoslavia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albanian Lek}}
[[Category:Currencies of Albania| ]]
[[Category:Currencies introduced in 1926]]
[[Category:Financial system of Albania|Lek]]
[[Category:Circulating currencies]]
[[Category:Currencies of Europe]]