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20 Lei, National Bank of Romania, Romania, 1909–1929 (Pick 20)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1909-1929

Issuing entity

Kingdom of Romania

This 20 Lei note was issued in Romania by the National Bank of Romania, with dates recorded from 1909–1929. It belongs to the First leu (1867-1947) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Carol I (1881-1914). It measures 162 × 100 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 20.

Obverse: Ornate border with four large round medallions in the corners. In the central field: the value and signatures. Below, the coat of arms of the kingdom of Romania, flanked by two allegories. On the left: a young woman reclining on one of the medallions, with grapes and a sickle, representing agriculture. On the right: a young man with a hand harpoon representing fishing. Its lettering reads “20 20 / BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI / 1 Februarie 1913 / DOUE DECI LEI / GUVERNATOR / DIRECTOR / DIRECTORUL CASEI / ROMANIA ROMANIA / 20 20 / GEORGES DUVAL Fec. L. RUFFE sc.”.

Reverse: Ornate border with four large round medallions in the corners. In the central field, a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in flight, wearing a cross in its beak and a crowned shield with the coat of arms of the kingdom of Romania in its talons. Banner behind with the motto of the royal house, "NIHIL SINE DEO". Below the eagle, a view of the river Danube with rafts and four people. Its lettering reads “BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI / DOUE DECI LEI / 20 20 / NIHIL SINE DEO / FALSIFICATORII ACESTOR BILETE SI ACEIA CARI VOR FI INTREBUINTAT BILETE FALSE SAU LE VOR FI INTRODUS IN / TARA, SE VOR PEDEPSI CU INCHISOARE DE LA 5 PANA LA 10 ANI, CU INTERDICTIUNE SI AMENDA CONF. ART. 117 CP / GEORGES DUVAL Fec. L. RUFFE sc.”.

Design is credited to Georges Duval. Engraving is credited to Léon Henri Ruffe. Watermark: Mercury and "20". Signatures recorded for the type: Theodor Ştefănescu (TŞ) (Vice-Governor); Vintilă I. Brătianu (VIB) (Director); M. Z. Demetrescu (MZD) (Cashier); Anton Carp (AC) (Governor); Ioan Bibicescu (IB₁) (Director); G. Danielopolu (GD) (Director); Ioan Bibicescu (IB₂) (Vice-Governor); Th. Capitanovici (TC) (Director) and further combinations. 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
3
Photograph views
4
Catalogue references
2

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

Historical context

Watermarks:

Physical characteristics

Size
162 × 100 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
Mercury and "20"

Technical characteristics

Currency
First leu (1867-1947)
Designer
Georges Duval
Engraver
Léon Henri Ruffe
Signatures
Theodor Ştefănescu (TŞ) (Vice-Governor) · Vintilă I. Brătianu (VIB) (Director) · M. Z. Demetrescu (MZD) (Cashier) · Anton Carp (AC) (Governor) · Ioan Bibicescu (IB₁) (Director) · G. Danielopolu (GD) (Director) · Ioan Bibicescu (IB₂) (Vice-Governor) · Th. Capitanovici (TC) (Director) · Ioan Bibicescu (IB₃) (Governor) · Al. Radovici (AR) (Director of Control and Cash Operations) · Nicolae Barbulescu (NB) (Director of Cash Operations) · I. D. Clinceanu (IDC) (Director of Cash Operations)
Demonetized
Yes
Issuing bank
National Bank of Romania

Design

Obverse
Ornate border with four large round medallions in the corners. In the central field: the value and signatures. Below, the coat of arms of the kingdom of Romania, flanked by two allegories. On the left: a young woman reclining on one of the medallions, with grapes and a sickle, representing agriculture. On the right: a young man with a hand harpoon representing fishing.
Reverse
Ornate border with four large round medallions in the corners. In the central field, a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in flight, wearing a cross in its beak and a crowned shield with the coat of arms of the kingdom of Romania in its talons. Banner behind with the motto of the royal house, "NIHIL SINE DEO". Below the eagle, a view of the river Danube with rafts and four people.
Obverse lettering
20 20 / BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI / 1 Februarie 1913 / DOUE DECI LEI / GUVERNATOR / DIRECTOR / DIRECTORUL CASEI / ROMANIA ROMANIA / 20 20 / GEORGES DUVAL Fec. L. RUFFE sc.
Reverse lettering
BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI / DOUE DECI LEI / 20 20 / NIHIL SINE DEO / FALSIFICATORII ACESTOR BILETE SI ACEIA CARI VOR FI INTREBUINTAT BILETE FALSE SAU LE VOR FI INTRODUS IN / TARA, SE VOR PEDEPSI CU INCHISOARE DE LA 5 PANA LA 10 ANI, CU INTERDICTIUNE SI AMENDA CONF. ART. 117 CP / GEORGES DUVAL Fec. L. RUFFE sc.

Identification

Value
20 Lei
Dates recorded
1909-1929
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 20

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)P20
  • NumistaN# 207754

Research required

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