world polymer: Romania

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01 March, 2025

...Romania - 100 Lei 2024 Polymer Commemorative 185th Anniversary Of The Birth Of King Carol I Folder

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.

One Hundred Lei

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.

Back - In the middle is the statue of King Carol I. To the left is the image of Peles Castle. I believe Carol I's statue is situated in the garden in front of Peles Castle. The construction for Peles Castle was ordered by King Carol I in 1873 and was not finished until 1914. It is not sure if this castle was completed before or after the death of the King. This castle is located near Sinaia (central Romania), about 120 kilometers north of Bucharest, the capital city of Romania.

Folder Front Cover 210mm x 148mm

19 March, 2022

...Romania - 20 Lei Polymer Banknote dated 01.12.2021

România

(Romania)

Banca Națională a României

(National Bank of Romania)

Currency - Leu (RON)

This is a 20 lei polymer banknote printed with the date of 01.12.2021. This note was reportedly released on 26.11.2021. Initially it was meant to be released in August 2019 but was then delayed until 2021. The purpose of releasing this note was to bridge the gap between the current 10 and 50 lei notes.

Twenty Lei

Ecaterina Teodoroiu (b.1894-1917)

Front - A portrait of Ecaterina Teodoroiu (b.1984-1917). Ecaterina Teodoroiu died at the age of 23 years old. She was killed during the First World war and is regarded as a national heroine in Romania. She started working as a nurse in 1916 during the war and later joined the front-line as a soldier. She was killed in action on 03.09.1917 by the Germans during a counterattack. Next to her right is the yellow crocus flower. This flower can be found in Greece, the Balkan States, Bulgaria, Romania and some parts of Turkey as well.

Signatures

Governor - Dr. Mugur Constantin Isarescu (since 28.10.2000)

Cashier Central - Ionel Nitu

Dimensions -136mm x 77mm

Back - Image of the Mausoleum of Marasesti Victoria. This is a memorial site situated in Romania that contains the remains of 5,073 Romanian soldiers and officers killed during the First World War. The construction of this building was completed in 1938 and was unveiled by the then King of Romania Carol ll (b.1893-1953). To the left is an image of the Winged Victory holding a palm branch in her left hand and a sword in her right hand. The Winged Victory is the design of the Victory Medal and was awarded to Romania soldiers of any rank that took part in a battle between 28.08.1916 and 31.03.1921.

Mausoleum of Marasesti Victoria

01 February, 2022

...Romania - 20 Lei The Reprint Of 1881 issue

România

(Romania)

Banca Națională a României

(National Bank of Romania)

Currency - Leu (RON)

Posted below is a 20 lei polymer note replica of the first banknote issued in 1881. It should be noted that Romania issued its first banknote in 1877 by the Romanian Treasury Department. However, this replica banknote is issued to celebrate the 140th year of the first banknote issued by the central bank, the National Bank of Romania.

Banca Națională a României (BNR) was founded in 1880. The first governor of the central bank was Ion I Campineanu (b.1841-1888). He was appointed to the role when the bank was established until his death in 1888, aged 47. The first banknote was issued with the date of 19.01.1881, and like the original, this replica is printed with the same date as it was first issued. However, unlike the first issue, this 2021 note is printed on polymer substrate material. In addition to this, this polymer note is printed with C 2021.

The news on this new commemorative note was first reported in late November 2021, and the note was released to the public on 01.12.2021. This note is issued at a premium of 100 lei plus VAT.

Details of this issue

Date released ; 01.12.2021

Theme - Replica of the banknote note first issued in 1881 by BNR

Quantity - 30000 pieces sold at 100 Lei each plus VAT

Dimensions - 168mm x 96mm

Colour - Predominantly blue

Twenty Lei

Obverse

Two transparent windows, with one printed with the face value of 20 (lei) on the left. The transparent window on the right is printed with the portrait of Emperor Trajan (b.53-117), facing left. Underneath the two windows are the two altars with base with the word "Romania" printed on it. In the center is the bank's name "Banca Nationale A Romaniei" and with the serial printed below, and followed by the date of 19 Iauuariu 1881 (19.01.1881). At the base are two young men sitting, representing the personification of the industry (left man), and on the right, representing representing the personification of trade. This note is printed with the year date of C2021 and the control number of 0332.

On the back, the main feature is the portrait of Emperor Trajan (reigned 98-117).

In my opinion, this note has a very dull look. As this is a replica of the 1881 issue, this is expected as in those days, most banknotes were printed with mono colour and besides, in those days, printing technology was not as advanced as we have today. By comparison, the design of this 1881 note is much better than many banknotes issued after that.

Reverse

Folder Cover Front

Folder Cover Back

01 March, 2020

...Romania - 100 Lei 2019 Commemorating the Anniversary of The Completion of the Great Union

România
(Romania)

Banca Națională a României
(National Bank of Romania)
Currency : Leu (RON)

On the 01.12.2018, the National Bank of Romania issued a commemorative note of 100 lei celebrating the 100th year of the Greater Union since it was founded on 01.12.1918 following the end of the first World War where Romania, Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina joint together to create the King of Romania. In Romania, this day is celebrated as a National Day or Great Union Day in the country. This day is also known as the Unification Day.

On 01.12.2019, the central bank issued another 100 lei commemorative polymer note celebrating the completion of the Great Union Day. Like the previous note, this note is also issued in a folder. This note is printed on polymer substrate with a total quantity of 30,000 sets. While the note face value is 100 lei, the issue price was 150 lei plus VAT of 19%. This note was made available to the public on 04.12.2019.

Front - portrait of Ion I.C. Brătianu 1864-1927 (Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of Romania for six times in 1909; 1910; 1904-1918; 1918-1919; 1922-1926; & 1927), He was also the chief spokesman for the ideal of Greater Romania union;
Back - coat of arms of Romania, the former palace of the Assembly of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament (now the Patriarchate Palace) and, in the center the Order of Carol I decoration.

Size : 147mm x 82mm

One Hundred Lei

Dated 2019, portrait of Ion I.C. Brătianu 1864-1927 (Foreign Minister and Prime Minister of Romania for six times in 1909; 1910; 1904-1918; 1918-1919; 1922-1926; & 1927)

Reverse - coat of arms of Romania, the former palace of the Assembly of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament (now the Patriarchate Palace) and, in the center the Order of Carol I decoration.

Folder Front Cover

01 June, 2019

...Romania - 100 Leu 100th Year of Great Union Commemorative 1918-2018 Polymer

România / Romania

Banca Națională a României / National Bank of Romani

This is a commemorative polymer note with a face value of 100 Lei/Leu issued on 01/12/2018, celebrating the 100th year of the Greater Union since it was founded on 01/12/1918 following the end of the first World War where Romania, Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina joint together to create the King of Romania. In Romania, this day is celebrated as a National Day or Great Union Day in the country. This day is also known as the Unification Day.

This note is printed on polymer substrate with a total quantity of 10,000 sets. While the note face value is 100 Leu, the issue price was 150 Leu plus VAT of 19%.

Design Front: King Ferdinand I (Regele Ferdinand l 1865-1927) and Queen Maria of Edinburgh (Regina Maria 1875-1938). Group of people gathering with flags flying;

Back: The arrival of the Royal cortege on 1 December 1918, part of the mace of King Ferdinand I, and four women in the traditional garb of the four provinces of Romania, Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina.

The Romanian monarchy ended on 30/12/1947 when the last King, Michael I (1921-2017) was forced to abdicate by the pro Russian Romanian communists and went into exile. He later claimed that he was forced to abdicate and still considered himself the King of Romania. King Michael I was the grandson of King Ferdinand I. King Michael I was first ascended to the Romania throne in 1927 at the age of 6 and was then removed by his father, King Carlo II in 1930. King Carlo II abdicated in 1940 thus making King Michael I the king once again until 1947.

The note is predominately printed in blue colour and is measured by 82mm x 147mm.

One Hundred Leu