50 Lekë, Albanian State Bank, Albania, 1949–1957 (Pick 25)

This 50 Lekë note was issued in Albania by the Albanian State Bank, with dates recorded from 1949–1957. It belongs to the Old lek (1926-1965) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Socialist Republic (1945-1990). It measures 135 × 75 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 25.

Obverse: Dark-blue (1949) or Violet (1957) on green underprint. To the right is a portrait of Lord Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu (Skanderbeg) (1405-1468) was an Albanian nobleman and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in modern-day Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, Date below, Denomination in the centre and at left, Date centre bottom. Its lettering reads “BANKA / E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR / PESËDHJETË / 50 / LEKË / I PAGUHEN PRURËSIT ME TË PARË / 1957”. Translation given in the catalogue: “State Bank of Albania Fifty leke Payment to the bearer on demand 1957”.

Reverse: Dark-blue (1949) or Violet (1957) on green underprint. National Coat of Arms in the centre, Partisan military to the right, Denomination at left. Its lettering reads “BANKA E SHTETIT SHQIPTAR / PESËDHJETË LEKË / LIGJA DËNON ATA QË FABRIKOJNË DHE / NDAJNË BILETA TË FALLSIFIKUARA”. Translation given in the catalogue: “State Bank of Albania Fifty leke The law punishes those who fabricate and distribute counterfeit banknotes”.

The note was printed by Goznak (Гознак, Экспедиция заготовления государственных бумаг), Russian Federation (1818-date). Watermark: BSHSH within outlines, repeated (1957). 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.