PRESS RELEASE
Touring exhibition of the Bank of Albania in the framework of celebrations for the 100 Anniversary of Independence arrives in Prishtina

On the eve of the 100th Anniversary of Independence, the touring exhibition of the Bank of Albania "100 years of Independence: Our history reflected in the national currency" was opened, on 23 November 2012, at the National Museum in Prishtina. This was the first time the Bank of Albania organises a touring numismatics exhibition abroad.

The exhibition was brought to Prishtina to honour the patriots of the Albanian Awakening, who have contributed to the country's Independence.

The exhibition and the history of Albanian coins and banknotes aim at introducing the public to the development of the central bank in Albania. The first efforts to establish a central bank were made immediately after the country's independence by Ismail Qemali through an agreement signed with Austrian-Hungarian and Italian financial groups.  Ismail Qemali would consider the establishment of the central bank as a second victory, after freedom. This was a visionary perspective, which is still valid nowadays as the central bank stands among the most important institutions of a country.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ardian Fullani, Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gani Gërguri, Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, Hajdin Abazi, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kosovo and many other prominent personalities.

Governor Gërguri, Deputy Minister Abazi and Governor Fullani addressed the audience on this occasion. 

In addition to the numismatic collection, the public was able to see the set of commemorative coins issued by the Bank of Albania on the occasion of the 100 Anniversary of Independence: The set consists of three coins:

• Golden coin 200 lek
  The obverse features the two-headed eagle of the Albanian flag with the 200 lek face value written below it.  The reverse shows the effigy of Ismail Qemali. His name is inscribed below it.
• Silver coin 100 lek
  The obverse features the two-headed eagle of the Albanian flag, while the reverse shows two concentric circles. The central circle depicts the Declaration of Independence Act.  The outer circle has 'SHQIPËRI- ALBANIA 2012' and 'Declaration of Independence" inscribed in it.
• Base metal coin 50 lek 
  The obverse features the two-headed eagle of the Albanian flag, while the reverse shows a symbolic sculpture with two hands together.

In the framework of this remarkable event in the history of the Albanian people, a set on "100 Years of the Deceleration of Albania's Independence" was given as a gift to the National Museum of Kosovo.

Prishtina was the eighth destination of the touring exhibition. Before, it had travelled through seven cities of Albania, namely: Berat, Gjirokastra, Korça, Elbasan, Shkodra, Tirana and Vlora.