România
(Romania)
Banca Națională a României
(National Bank of Romania, Est. 1880)
Currency - Leu (RON)
This is one good thing about European Union members that are yet to adopt the European common currency - the Euro, for whatever reasons or restrictions they may be encountering. Since the issue of the Euro currency by The European Central Bank in 2002, the central bank has never issued any commemorative banknote, and this allows countries like Romania (and Poland too) to issue commemorative notes as and when it sees fit. And right now, it seems that Poland is the only EU member that has been non-stop producing commemorative banknotes on an annual basis - Go Polska!
This is the fourth commemorative note issued by Romania since becoming an EU member in 2007. This note is printed on a polymer substrate and issued in a folder with an envelope. Like those three previous issues, this 100 lei commemorative note is also issued as a numismatic product in limited edition and sold at a premium. A total of 30,000 sets in folders were released on 02.12.2024, at a price of 150 lei per set plus tax. In my opinion, 30,000 sets is quite a lot and should be sufficient to meet overseas demands as well.
This note celebrates King Carol I's 185th birthday 1839-2024. Romania became a republic since the last King of Romania, King Michael I (b.1921-2017) was forced to abdicate by the occupying Russian forces during the end of the Second World War. The country then went on and was ruled by the communist regime until the Romanian revolution in 1989 when the President of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu (b.1918-1989) was captured by the army and executed. He died (together with his wife Elena Ceausescu b, 1916-1989) on Christmas day in 1989 by a firing squad after a quick trial conducted by the National Salvation Front (the provisional government during the revolution). Since then Romania has been governed by a unitary semi-presidential republic system. However, despite being a republic, it seems that many of the citizens are still very much fond of their past monarchs and talks were mentioned in the past whether to have a referendum to see if they want to bring them back as King/Queen. Perhaps this commemorative note and the one issued in 2018 would give you some ideas of what they are thinking right now, as I do not see any good reasons for issuing such commemorative banknotes, apart from generating income for the bank. I am sure the government would have also considered the current positive public sentiment regarding the monarchy.
Governor - Mugur Constantin Isarescu
Chief Cashier - Ionel Nitu
Date - 1 decembrie 2024 (01.12.2024)
Issue Price - 150 lei plus tax
Dimensions - 147mm x 82mm
Front - The image of King Carol I. King Carol I or Charles I of Romania was born in 1839 and died in 1914, aged 75. He was the first King of Romania and he ascended to the Romanian throne on 15.03.1881 until his death in 1914. He was succeeded by his nephew Ferdinand I (b.1865-1927). In the middle is the Order of the Star of Romania, which is a decoration which was awarded to anyone that is recognised for his/her meritorious service to the country. This award was introduced by Carol I in 1877 when he was a Prince. At that time, this was the highest civil order and second highest state award. In 1940, this decoration award was then abolished by King Michael I of Romania and replaced by the Order of St George. The Star of Romania was then reintroduced in 1998 and since then is awarded by the President of Romania. In the background is a battle scene of the War of Independence. The War of Independence was referred to as the Russia-Turkish War which was fought from 1877 to 1878. Romania was fighting on the Russian side against Turkey and gained independence from the Ottoman Empire.
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| Folder Front Cover 210mm x 148mm |
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