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1 Leu, National Bank of Romania, Romania, 1920 (Pick 26)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1920

Issuing entity

Kingdom of Romania

This 1 Leu note was issued in Romania by the National Bank of Romania, dated 1920. It belongs to the First leu (1867-1947) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Ferdinand I (1914-1927). It measures 80 × 55 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 26.

Obverse: Value in the centre, with a large medallion in the background, with the monogram of the National Bank of Romania. In the left field: a sheaf of wheat, a sickle, grapevines and oil wells in the background. In the right field: bust of a woman sewing, facing left. Its lettering reads “BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI / UN LEU / GUVERNATOR DIRECTOR / CASIER / COSTIN P.”. Reverse: Ornamental border with two round medallions bearing the heads of Roman Emperor Trajan on the left and Dacian king Decebal on the right, both facing inwards. Value with the "BNR" monogram above each medallion. In the centre of the border, at the top, on an architectural architrave in Wallachian Renaissance (Brâncovenesc) style, the crowned coat of arms of Romania, supported by two rampant lions, with the motto on a banner below. In the central field: Capitoline wolf facing left with Romulus and Remus, on a pedestal with the legal inscription. Its lettering reads “1 LEU 1 LEU / NIHIL SINE DEO / 17 IULIE 1920 / FALSIFICATORII ACESTOR BILETE, ACEI CARI LE VOR FI INTRE- / BUINTAT SAU CARI LE VOR FI INTRODUS IN TARA SAU LE VOR / FI PUS IN CIRCULATIUNE, SE VOR PEDEPSI CU INCHISOARE DE / LA 5 PANA LA 10 ANI, CU INTERDICTIUNE SI AMENDA CONF. / ART. 117 C. P. / COSTIN-P.”.

Design is credited to Costin Petrescu. Signatures recorded for the type: Ioan Bibicescu (IB) (Governor); Th. Capitanovici (TC) (Director); I. D. Clinceanu (IDC) (Director of Cash Operations). 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.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Physical characteristics

Size
80 × 55 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper

Technical characteristics

Currency
First leu (1867-1947)
Designer
Costin Petrescu
Signatures
Ioan Bibicescu (IB) (Governor) · Th. Capitanovici (TC) (Director) · I. D. Clinceanu (IDC) (Director of Cash Operations)
Demonetized
Yes
Issuing bank
National Bank of Romania

Design

Obverse
Value in the centre, with a large medallion in the background, with the monogram of the National Bank of Romania. In the left field: a sheaf of wheat, a sickle, grapevines and oil wells in the background. In the right field: bust of a woman sewing, facing left.
Reverse
Ornamental border with two round medallions bearing the heads of Roman Emperor Trajan on the left and Dacian king Decebal on the right, both facing inwards. Value with the "BNR" monogram above each medallion. In the centre of the border, at the top, on an architectural architrave in Wallachian Renaissance (Brâncovenesc) style, the crowned coat of arms of Romania, supported by two rampant lions, with the motto on a banner below. In the central field: Capitoline wolf facing left with Romulus and Remus, on a pedestal with the legal inscription.
Obverse lettering
BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI / UN LEU / GUVERNATOR DIRECTOR / CASIER / COSTIN P.
Reverse lettering
1 LEU 1 LEU / NIHIL SINE DEO / 17 IULIE 1920 / FALSIFICATORII ACESTOR BILETE, ACEI CARI LE VOR FI INTRE- / BUINTAT SAU CARI LE VOR FI INTRODUS IN TARA SAU LE VOR / FI PUS IN CIRCULATIUNE, SE VOR PEDEPSI CU INCHISOARE DE / LA 5 PANA LA 10 ANI, CU INTERDICTIUNE SI AMENDA CONF. / ART. 117 C. P. / COSTIN-P.

Identification

Value
1 Leu
Dates recorded
1920
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 26

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Research required
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P26
  • NumistaN# 207790

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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