PRESS RELEASE
Bank of Albania's exhibition on “100 Years of Independence: Our history reflected in the national currency''

This year Albania is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Declaration of its Independence. In the framework of this jubilee, the Bank of Albania has organized a touring exhibition on "100 Years of Independence: Our history reflected in the national currency", which this time is opened in Tirana, at the premises of our National Historical Museum.

The touring exhibition depicts the history of our national coin and banknote, which reflects at the same time the Bank of Albania's development, starting with Ismail Qemali's efforts to establish an Albanian central bank, continuing up to the present. Through this exhibition, the Bank of Albania aims to unveil the historical and cultural values of Albanian coins and banknotes issued through the years.

This exhibition displays collections of coins and banknotes belonging to different historical periods of the country. The symbols of coins and banknotes reflect the historical changes that have taken place in Albania, thus making our national currency be appreciated not only for its monetary value, but also for its historical one.

This exhibition displays also a series of commemorative coins on "The 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence", issued by the Bank of Albania on this occasion.

The series is composed of three coins:  

• Golden coin 200 lek

The obverse has the two-headed eagle of the flag with the 200 lek face value written below it. The reverse has the effigy of Ismail Qemali. His name is inscribed below it. 

• Silver coin 100 lek

The obverse has the two-headed eagle of the flag, while the reverse has two concentric circles. The central circle contains the act of the Declaration of Independence. The second circle inscribes 'SHQIPËRI- ALBANIA 2012' and 'Declaration of Independence". 

 
 

• Base metal coin 50 lek

The obverse has the two-headed eagle of the flag, while the reverse has a symbolic sculpture with two hands clasped together.

       
In the framework of this momentous event in the Albania's history, the Bank of Albania has minted a medallion on "The 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence". The medallion depicts a design of the two-headed eagle on whose wings the Albanian flag flies, with the years 1912-2012 inscribed.

The coins issued on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the Bank of Albania's medallion will be displayed to the general public at the exhibition organised by the Bank of Albania.

This is the sixth exhibition organised by the Bank of Albania in the framework of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The first exhibition opened in Berat and later moved on to Gjirokastra, Korca, Elbasan and Shkodra. The last exhibition opens in Vlora, the flag town, in November.

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani opened the exhibition in Tirana on 25 October 2012, in the presence of other central bank governors and representatives, field researchers, various representatives of the financial world, the Albanian media and so on.

The exhibition will be open to the public until 27 October 2012.

The Bank of Albania thanks the National Historical Museum, the General Directorate of Archives, the National Library, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, collectors and all other collaborators for their support in organizing this exhibition.