100 Franga Ari = 500 Lek, National Bank of Albania, Albania, 1926 (Pick 4a)

This 100 Franga Ari = 500 Lek note was issued in Albania by the National Bank of Albania, dated 1926. It belongs to the Old lek (1926-1965) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: First Republic (1925-1928). It measures 190 × 104 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 4a.

Obverse: Red-brown. Frame and safety background composed of decorative patterns; portrait of King A. Zogu I on the right; view of Gomsiqe Bridge near Puka in the center. Prefix and numbering in black. Texts in Albanian and Italian. Its lettering reads “BANKA KOMBËTARE E SHQIPNIS / BANCA NAZIONALE D'ALBANIA / NJI QIND FRANKA ARI / CENTO FRANCHI ORO / TË PAGUESHËME NË TË PAME PRUËSIT / PAGABILI AL VISTA AL PORTATORE”. Translation given in the catalogue: “National Bank of Albania One Hundred Gold Francs Payable to the bearer”.

Reverse: Red-brown and green Landscape with river Drin near Skutari at center. Its lettering reads “NJI QIND CENTO”. Translation given in the catalogue: “One Hundred Gold Francs”. The note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, United Kingdom (1856-1990). Watermark: Skanderbeg with helmet. Signatures recorded for the type: Mario Alberti (MA) (President); Amedeo Gambino (AG) (Counselor Secretary). Demonetized: Yes.

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.