Current Banknotes 500 Lekë Note, 1996 issue 
 

Size: 145 mm x 68 mm
Dominant colour: blue
First in circulation on: 11.07.1997

 

The 500 Lekë note issue of 1997 was first put in circulation on 11 July 1997. It was printed by "De La Rue" banknote printing company.
It was later reprinted by "Oberthure" banknote printing company with improved security features and was put in circulation on 01 August 2002.

The note is manufactured from high quality cotton fibre security paper.

On its front side, the note has a portrait of Ismail Qemali (1844-1919), a prominent leader of the Albanian national movement and Prime Minister of independent Albania, as well as a double-headed eagle of the independence flag and the pen with which the Independence Act was signed.

On its back side, the note shows an image of the house where Albania’s Independence was proclaimed, the room where this took place and the telegraph of the independence notice.

On 16 February 2009, the Bank of Albania put in circulation a 500 Lekë note of legal tender, issue of 2007. It retains the same design and dimensions as the 500 Lekë note, issue of 2001. Security and damage-resistant elements are added or improved to this banknote. Furthermore, signatures of the Governor and the Director of Issue Department, as well as the year of issue are updated.

Older issues of 500 Lekë notes shall continue to be legal tender and shall continue to be in circulation along with the new note, issue of 2007.

New 500 Lekë Note security features (in Albanian)