Romania Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in Romania is a fascinating journey through the country's economic and cultural evolution. From its earliest issues to the modern banknotes of today, Romanian banknotes reflect the political and social changes the nation has experienced over the years.

Current banknotes in circulation

Current Romanian banknotes are known as lei (singular: leu) and have been in circulation since 2005. The current series includes denominations of 1, 5, 10, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 lei. These banknotes feature portraits of important Romanian historical and cultural figures, such as poet Mihai Eminescu on the 500 lei note and painter Nicolae Grigorescu on the 10 lei. The designs incorporate advanced security features and reflect the country's artistic and architectural heritage.

Historical banknotes and milestones in Romanian banknote production

The first Romanian banknotes were issued in 1877 by the National Bank of Romania. Throughout the 20th century, the country experienced several changes to its currency, including multiple denominations during periods of hyperinflation. A significant milestone was the introduction of the "heavy leu" in 2005, which removed four zeros from the previous currency. Historical Romanian banknotes, such as those issued during the communist era, are now highly sought-after collector's items for note enthusiasts, as they offer a unique window into the country's history.