5 Lek, National Bank of Albania, Albania, 1940 (Pick 10)

This 5 Lek note was issued in Albania by the National Bank of Albania, dated 1940. It belongs to the Old lek (1926-1965) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Italian occupation (1939-1943). It measures 97 × 61 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 10.

Obverse: Double-headed eagle at bottom centre. Its lettering reads “BANKA KOMBËTARE E SHQIPNIS / BANCA NAZIONALE D'ALBANIA / 5 LEK / 5 LEK / MË TË PAME TË PAGUESHËME PRUËSIT / PAGABILI A VISTA AL PORTATORE”. Translation given in the catalogue: “NATIONAL BANK OF ALBANIA 5 LEK PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND”. Reverse: Double-headed eagle at left, female head at right. Its lettering reads “LEK 5 LEK LEK 5 LEK / LIGJI DENON FABRIKATURET DHE SHPËRNDAESIT E BILETAVE TE FALLSIFIKUEME / LA LEGUE PUNISCE I FABRICATORI E GLI SPACCIATORI DI BIGLIETTI FALSI / 2 / LEK”.

The note was printed by Bank of Italy (Banca d'Italia), Rome, Italy (1926-date). Watermark: Italia. Signatures recorded for the type: Antonio Mosconi (AM) (President); Amedeo Gambino (AG) (Counselor Delegate). 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.