500 Lek

 

ALB 500 R CMJN 300 copy
ALB 500 V CMJN 300 copy

 

Size 132 mm x 69 mm
Main colour Blue
Date of issuance 17 January 2022
Obverse

Portrait of Ismail Qemali (1844-1919), the emblem of the eagle and the pen with which the Independence Act was signed.

Text: BANKA E SHQIPËRISË”, “PESËQIND LEKË”, “ISMAIL QEMALI 1844-1919”
Reverse View of the building where the Independence was declared, the telegraph that spread the news and the room where the decision was made.

 

Security features

New series of lek banknotes are issued time and again to keep them safe at all times.  The technology for the production of banknotes advances continuously and counterfeiters try getting hold of it.  The new series of the Albanian banknotes contains new and more sophisticated security features.

Some of these features are shown on this page.  For more details, visit security features, where you can learn how to check all the elements through the method: FEEL, LOOK and TILT.

New series of lek banknotes are issued time and again to keep them safe at all times.  The technology for the production of banknotes advances continuously and counterfeiters try getting hold of it.  The new series of the Albanian banknotes contains new and more sophisticated security features.

Some of these features are shown on this page.  For more details, visit security features, where you can learn how to check all the elements through the method: FEEL, LOOK and TILT.

  • Explore security features

 

500 Lekë (issuances in 1996, 2001, 2007, 2015)

 

500 leke para
500 leke mbrapa
Size 145 x 69 mm
Dominant colour blue
First in circulation on 11.07.1997
Obverse Portrait of Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora (1844-1919), a prominent leader of the Albanian national movement and first Prime Minister of independent Albania; double-headed eagle of the independence flag; a stylised image of the pen with which the Independence Act was signed.
Reverse View of the building where the Provisional Government of Vlora worked, today the National Museum of Independence; a stylised image of the room where the decision to declare Albania’s independence was made and of the telegraph with the news. 
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  • Raised print

    Raised print

    Raised print is used in most visible parts of the note and has a raised surface, which is more tactile in the main texts and image. 
    Elements for recognition by blind or visually impaired persons

    Elements for recognition by blind or visually impaired persons

    Ultraviolet properties

    Ultraviolet properties

    All denominations of the new series have surfaces printed in fluorescent ink, visible under UV light. This quality applies also to the security thread and invisible fibres. 
    Watermark

    Watermark

    (visible design inside the paper). Each banknote has a three-dimensional watermark, a portrait that corresponds to the main portrait of the banknote, when seen against the light. 
    See through register

    See through register

    The following denominations have a specific element called see through. It is printed on the reverse of the note and matches perfectly to the space not printed on the obverse, when seen against the light. 
    Hologram

    Hologram

    In their obverse, 2000 and 5000 Lekë notes have a hologram, which presents different images depending on the viewing angle.
    FCO® seal

    FCO® seal

    This element, found in the 500 lekë denomination, offers two levels of security. The colour of ink changes from violet to dark green when the note is tilted. Depending on the viewing angle, one may see in the background the building of the Bank of Albania, its initials "BSH“ and the value numeral “500”, which are stamped.