[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/coins-of-the-romanian-leu\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/coins-of-the-romanian-leu\/","headline":"Coins of the Romanian leu","name":"Coins of the Romanian leu","description":"The Coins of the Romanian leu have been issued since the introduction of the Romanian leu in 1867. Table of","datePublished":"2017-06-10","dateModified":"2017-06-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/author\/lordneo\/#Person","name":"lordneo","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/author\/lordneo\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Coin_Romania_2_bani_1867.jpg\/100px-Coin_Romania_2_bani_1867.jpg","url":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Coin_Romania_2_bani_1867.jpg\/100px-Coin_Romania_2_bani_1867.jpg","height":"50","width":"100"},"url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/coins-of-the-romanian-leu\/","about":["Wiki"],"wordCount":11903,"articleBody":"The Coins of the Romanian leu have been issued since the introduction of the Romanian leu in 1867.Table of ContentsFirst leu[edit]King Carol I[edit]King Ferdinand I[edit]King Michael I (first reign)[edit]King Carol II[edit]King Michael I (second reign)[edit]Second leu[edit]King Michael I[edit]People’s Republic of Romania[edit]Third leu[edit]People’s Republic of Romania[edit]Socialist Republic of Romania[edit]Post-Communist Romania[edit]Fourth leu[edit]References[edit]First leu[edit]In 1867, copper 1, 2, 5 and 10 bani were issued, with gold 20 lei (known as poli after the French Napoleons) first minted the next year. These were followed, between 1870 and 1873, by silver 50 bani, 1 and 2 lei. Silver 5 lei were added in 1880. Uniquely, the 1867 issue used the spelling 1 banu rather than 1 ban.In 1900, cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 20 bani coins were introduced, with holed versions following in 1905. The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces. Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 5, 10 and 20 lei in 1930. In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.In 1941 and 1942, zinc 2, 5 and 20 lei coins were introduced, together with silver 200 and 500 lei. Nickel-clad-steel 100 lei followed in 1943, with brass 200 and 500 lei issued in 1945. In 1946 and 1947, a new coinage was issued consisting of aluminium 500 lei, brass 2000 and 10,000 lei, and silver 25,000 and 100,000 lei.King Carol I[edit]First Leu Coins \u2013  1867 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 banu15\u00a0mmcopperValue, wreath, year of mintingcoat of arms18672 bani20\u00a0mm5 bani25\u00a0mm10 bani30\u00a0mmFirst Leu Coins \u2013  1872-1873 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 leu23\u00a0mm5 gsilverValue, wreath, year of mintingCAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI (“Carol I, Lord of Romania”)18702 lei27\u00a0mm10 gValue, wreath, ROMANIAcoat of arms, year of minting1872First Leu Coins \u2013  1880 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse2 bani20\u00a0mmcopperValue, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of armsCAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI (“Carol I, Lord of Romania”)1880First Leu Coins \u2013  1884 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse5 bani25\u00a0mmcopperValue, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of armsCAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI (“Carol I, King of Romania”)18822 bani25\u00a0mmcopperValue, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of armsCAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI (“Carol I, King of Romania”)1882First Leu Coins \u2013  1900 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 ban15\u00a0mm1 gcopper 95%, tin 4%, zinc 1%SmoothValue, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of armsCAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI (“Carol I, King of Romania”)19002 bani20\u00a0mm2 g5 bani19\u00a0mm3.5 gcopper 75%, nickel 25%ROMANIA, valueSteel crown, wreath, year of minting190010 bani22\u00a0mm4.5 g20 bani25\u00a0mm7 g50 bani25\u00a0mm2.5 gsilver 83.5%These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.First Leu Coins \u2013  1905 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse5 bani19\u00a0mm2.5 gCopper 75%, Nickel 25%SmoothValue, year of minting, two rosesRoyal Crown, state title on a ribbon190510 bani22\u00a0mm4 g20 bani25\u00a0mm7 g1 leu23\u00a0mm5 gSilver 83.5%, Copper 16.5%MilledValue, “CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI” (“Carol I Prince of Romania”), the effigy of Prince Carol I“1866 – 1906”, “CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI” (“Carol I King of Romania”), the effigy of the King19065 lei38\u00a0mm25 gSilver 90%, Copper 10%These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.First Leu Coins \u2013  1910 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse50 bani18\u00a0mm2.5 gSilver 83.5%, Copper 16.5%MilledState title, value, year of minting, olive branch, Royal Crown“CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI” (“Carol I King of Romania”), the effigy of the King19101 leu23\u00a0mm5 gState title, value, year of minting, peasant woman2 lei27\u00a0mm10 gThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.King Ferdinand I[edit]The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces.First Leu Coins \u2013  1921 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse25 bani19\u00a0mm0.896 gAluminiumSmoothValue, Royal CrownEagle, state title, year of minting192150 bani21\u00a0mm1.203 gThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 10, 20 and 50 lei in 1930.First Leu Coins \u2013  1924 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 leu21\u00a0mm3.5 gCopper 75%, Nickel 25%Milled“BUN PENTRU ‘VALUE'” (“Good for ‘value'”), wheat wreathState title, Middle coat of arms, ***, year of minting, ***19242 lei25\u00a0mm7 gThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.King Michael I (first reign)[edit]First Leu Coins \u2013  1930 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse5 lei21\u00a0mm3.5 gCopper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1%MilledValue Lesser coat of arms, six five-pointed stars“MIHAI I REGELE ROMANIEI” (“Michael I King of Romania”), effigy of the King, year of minting1930most probably 193020 lei27\u00a0mm7.5 gValue, group of dancing peasant womenThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.King Carol II[edit]First Leu Coins \u2013  1930 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse10 lei23\u00a0mm5 gCopper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1%MilledValue, the eagle from the coat of arms wearing on the shield the Royal Cypher of King Carol II, effigy of the King, year of minting“CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR” (“Carol II King of Romania”), year of minting193020 lei27\u00a0mm7.5 gThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.First Leu Coins \u2013  1932 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse100 lei31\u00a0mm14 gSilver 50%, Copper 40%, Zinc 5%, Nickel 5%MilledValue, the eagle from the coat of arms, laurel leaves“CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR” (“Carol II King of Romania”), effigy of the King, year of minting1932250 lei29\u00a0mm13.5 gSilver 75%, Copper 25%Value, the eagle from the coat of arms1935These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.First Leu Coins \u2013  1936 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse50 lei24\u00a0mm5.83 gNickel 97.5%MilledValue, the small shield from the coat of arms timbered by the Steel Crown, laurel and oak leaves, year of minting“CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR” (“Carol II King of Romania”), portrait of the King wearing a parade military helmet1937100 lei27\u00a0mm8.2 g“CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR” (“Carol II King of Romania”), effigy of the King1936These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.First Leu Coins \u2013  1941-1942 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 leu18\u00a0mm2.75 gnickel-brasssmoothmaize, denominationroyal crown, ROMANIA, year of minting1938-41These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.King Michael I (second reign)[edit]First Leu Coins \u2013  1941-1942 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse2 lei20\u00a0mm3.2 gzincsmoothwreath, denomination“REGATUL ROMANIEI” (“Kingdom of Romania”), crown, year of minting19415 lei23\u00a0mm4.5 goat sprigs, denomination194220 lei26\u00a0mm6.0 greededwreath, denomination1942-1944These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.First Leu Coins \u2013  1942 Series[1]ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse100 lei28\u00a0mm8.2 gnickel clad steelwreath, crown on top, denomination in the middle“MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR” (“Michael I of Romania King of Romania”), effigy of the King1943-1944200 lei27\u00a0mm7.5 gbrass1945These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.Second leu[edit]In 1947, coins were issued before the abdication of King Michael I, in denominations of 50 bani, 1, 2 and 5 lei.King Michael I[edit]Second Leu Coins \u2013  1947 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse50 bani16\u00a0mm1.7 gnickel-brassvalue“ROMANIA”, crown, year of minting15 August 1947194819521 leu18\u00a0mm2.5 gbrassvalue, ears of wheat on the sides“ROMANIA”, royal coat of arms, olive branches, year of minting2 lei21\u00a0mm3.5 gbronze5 lei23\u00a0mm1.5 galuminiumvalue, ears of wheatportrait of King Michael, “MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR”, year of mintingThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.People’s Republic of Romania[edit]After the creation of the People’s Republic, new coins were issued between 1948 and 1952, in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 20 lei.Second Leu Coins \u2013  1947 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 leu16\u00a0mm1.83 gnickel-brassvalue, year of mintingoil well, rising sun194830 January 19521 February 19520.61 galuminium2 lei18\u00a0mm2.44 gnickel-brasscorn cob0.84 galuminium5 lei23\u00a0mm3.5 gbronzeolive wreath, value, year of mintingcoat of arms, “REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA”20 lei26\u00a0mm1.5 galuminiumBlacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background, valuecoat of arms, “REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA”, year of mintingThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.Third leu[edit]People’s Republic of Romania[edit]In 1952, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 bani, with the 1, 3 and 5 struck in aluminium bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. In 1955, cupro-nickel 50 bani were added.In 1960, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of 15 and 25 bani, with 5 bani, 1 and 3 lei coins added in 1963. All were struck in nickel-clad steel. In 1975, aluminium replaced steel in the 5 and 15 bani, with the same change happening for the 25 bani in 1982. Aluminium 5 lei were introduced in 1978.Third Leu Coins \u2013  1960 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse5 baniNickel-plated steelSmoothValue, year of mintingCoat of arms, Republica Popular\u0103 Rom\u00e2n\u0103 (Romanian People’s Republic), year of first minting19601 January 199716 January 199715 baniValue, olive leaves25 baniValue, agricultural scene, wheat1 leuValue, agricultural landscape; industrial elements in the background19633 leiValue, industrial landscapeThese images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.Socialist Republic of Romania[edit]Third Leu Coins \u2013  1966 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse5 bani16mm1.7gNickel-plated steelSmoothValue, year of mintingCoat of arms1 November 19661 January 199716 January 19970.5gAluminium197515 bani19.5mm2.88gNickel-plated steelValue, olive leavesCoat of arms, Republica Socialist\u0103 Rom\u00e2nia (“Socialist Republic of Romania”), year of first minting1 November 19661.0gAluminium197525 bani22mm3.38gNickel-plated steelValue, agricultural scene, wheat1 November 19661.3gAluminium19821 leu24.6mm5.0gNickel-plated steelValue, agricultural landscape; industrial elements in the background1 November 19663 lei27mm5.86gNickel-plated steel“~*~*”Value, industrial landscape1 November 19665 lei29mm2.8gAluminiumValue, industrial scene1978These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.Post-Communist Romania[edit]Following the end of the communist regime, a new coinage was introduced between 1990 and 1992, consisting of 1 leu in bronze clad steel, 5 and 10 lei in nickel-plated steel, 20 and 50 lei in brass clad steel and nickel-plated steel 100 lei.Third Leu Coins \u2013  1990 SeriesImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingwithdrawallapse1 leu19\u00a0mm2.50 gCopper-plated steelSmoothValue, oak leaves, wheatInsignia of the National Bank, state title, year of minting, oak leaves19921 July 2005IndefiniteValue, state title, wheatCoat of arms, year of minting19931 January 2007Indefinite5 lei21\u00a0mm3.35 gNickel-plated steelSmoothState Title, value, oak leavesCoat of arms, year of minting19921 July 20031 July 200410 lei23\u00a0mm4.65 g“~ \u2666 ~ \u2666 ~ \u2666”Value, year of minting, olive leavesFlag, state title,“22 DECEMBRIE 1989”19905 gSmoothState title, value, olive leavesCoat of arms, year of minting199220 lei24\u00a0mm5 gBrass-plated steelSmoothValue, oak leaves, year of minting\u015etefan cel Mare, state title, “\u015eTEFAN CEL MARE”19911 July 20031 July 200450 lei26\u00a0mm5.9 gValue, olive leaves, year of mintingAlexandru Ioan Cuza, state title, “ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA”1991100 lei29\u00a0mm8.75 gNickel-plated steel“ROMANIA *** ROMANIA *** ROMANIA ***”Value, oak leaves, olive leaves, year of mintingMihai Viteazul, state title, “MIHAI VITEAZUL”19911 January 2007Indefinite500 lei24\u00a0mm3.75 gMagnesium – Aluminium alloy (AlMg3)“ROMANIA \u2666 ROMANIA \u2666 ROMANIA \u2666”State title, value, olive leavesCoat of arms, year of minting, olive leaves15 March 1999State title, value, Coat of arms, year of minting, a moon eclipsing the Sun“ECLIPSA TOTAL\u01cd DE SOARE 11 AUGUST 1999”, allegoric representation of the eclipse, “‘99”11 August 19991,000 lei22\u00a0mm2 gAlternately smooth and milledState title, value, year of minting, Coat of armsConstantin Br\u00e2ncoveanu, years of rule, “CONSTANTIN BRANCOVEANU”20005,000 lei24\u00a0mmdodecagonal2.50 gTwelve smooth edgesState title, valueCoat of arms, year of minting, ornamental leaves2001These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.As inflation took its toll, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lei coins were introduced in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, and were the only coins circulating when the revaluation occurred. They were all criticized for being clumsy and difficult to use. The 500 lei coins were very thick (about 0.3\u00a0cm). Despite their small value, it took only a handful of such coins to fill one’s pocket. They were also made of poor material and could be occasionally found with bite marks. The 1000 lei coin was considered too small and was also cheaply made, and the 5000 lei coin was not circular (it was a dodecagon). This made it awkward to handle and difficult to use in slot machines, where it was frequently the only coin accepted. The 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lei coins became worth  5, 10 and 50 bani with the revaluation.Fourth leu[edit]In 2005, the following coins were introduced for circulation:New Leu Coins (2005 series)ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate ofDiameterThicknessMassCompositionEdgeObverseReversefirst mintingissue1 b16.75\u00a0mm1.6\u00a0mm2.4 gBrass-plated steelSmoothCoat of arms, state title, year of mintingValue20051 July 20055 b18.25\u00a0mm1.6\u00a0mm2.8 gCopper-plated steelMilled (102 reeds)Coat of arms, state title, year of mintingValue20051 July 200510 b20.50\u00a0mm1.8\u00a0mm4.0 gNickel-plated steelAlternately smooth and milled (3 groups of 20 reeds)Coat of arms, state title, year of mintingValue20051 July 200550 b23.75 mm1.9\u00a0mm6.1 gBrass80% copper15% zinc5% nickel“ROMANIA * ROMANIA *”Coat of arms, state title, year of mintingValue20051 July 2005Aurel Vlaicu, 1910 (year of first Romanian flight), years of birth and death of Aurel VlaicuValue, Coat of arms, state title, year of minting201025 October 2010Value, Coat of arms, state title, year of minting, Cozia MonasteryMircea cel B\u0103tr\u00e2n, 1386-1418 (years of reign)201112 September 2011Value, “ROMANIA”, year of issue “2012”, Curtea de Arge\u015f monastery church in section, Coat of armsPortrait of Neagoe Basarab, Curtea de Arge\u0219 church, “1512”, “BISERICA MANASTIRII CURTEA DE ARGES” “NEAGOE BASARAB”201225 June 2012Value, “ROMANIA”, year of issue “2014”, a composition representing St. Nicholas Princely Church in Curtea de Arge\u015fPortrait of Prince Vladislav I Vlaicu, the obverse and the reverse of a ducat that he issued, the inscriptions \u201cVLADISLAV I VLAICU\u201d and \u201c1364\u201d (the year of his ascent to the throne of Wallachia)201428 April 2014Value, “ROMANIA”, year of issue “2015”,  Coat of arms, in the background a continuous five row inscription of the text: “BNR50”The Old Palace of the Romanian National Bank, the inscriptions “10 ANI”, “DENOMINAREA MONEDEI NATIONALE” and “2005” the year of the denomination.20151 July 2015These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.References[edit]TopicsCoinageBanknotesFormer banknotes10\u00a0bani25\u00a0bani50\u00a0bani2\u00a0lei3\u00a0lei25\u00a0lei1,000\u00a0lei2,000\u00a0lei5,000\u00a0lei10,000\u00a0lei50,000\u00a0lei100,000\u00a0lei500,000\u00a0lei1,000,000\u00a0lei5,000,000\u00a0leiFormer coinage"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki24\/coins-of-the-romanian-leu\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Coins of the Romanian leu"}}]}]