Coins of the Romanian leu

The Coins of the Romanian leu have been issued since the introduction of the Romanian leu in 1867.

First leu

In 1867, copper 1, 2, 5 and 10 bani were issued, with gold 20 lei (known as poli after the French Napoleons) first minted the next year. These were followed, between 1870 and 1873, by silver 50 bani, 1 and 2 lei. Silver 5 lei were added in 1880. Uniquely, the 1867 issue used the spelling 1 banu rather than 1 ban.

In 1900, cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 20 bani coins were introduced, with holed versions following in 1905. The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces. Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 5, 10 and 20 lei in 1930. In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.

In 1941 and 1942, zinc 2, 5 and 20 lei coins were introduced, together with silver 200 and 500 lei. Nickel-clad-steel 100 lei followed in 1943, with brass 200 and 500 lei issued in 1945. In 1946 and 1947, a new coinage was issued consisting of aluminium 500 lei, brass 2000 and 10,000 lei, and silver 25,000 and 100,000 lei.

King Carol I

First Leu Coins — 1867 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 banu 15 mm copper Value, wreath, year of minting coat of arms 1867
2 bani 20 mm
5 bani 25 mm
10 bani 30 mm
First Leu Coins — 1872-1873 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 leu 23 mm 5 g silver Value, wreath, year of minting CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, Lord of Romania") 1870
2 lei 27 mm 10 g Value, wreath, ROMANIA coat of arms, year of minting 1872
First Leu Coins — 1880 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
2 bani 20 mm copper Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, Lord of Romania") 1880
First Leu Coins — 1884 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
2 bani 25 mm copper Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania") 1882
First Leu Coins — 1900 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 ban 15 mm 1 g copper 95%, tin 4%, zinc 1% Smooth Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania") 1900
2 bani 20 mm 2 g
5 bani 19 mm 3.5 g copper 75%, nickel 25% ROMANIA, value Steel crown, wreath, year of minting 1900
10 bani 22 mm 4.5 g
20 bani 25 mm 7 g
50 bani 25 mm 2.5 g silver 83.5%
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1905 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
5 bani 19 mm 2.5 g Copper 75%, Nickel 25% Smooth Value, year of minting, two roses Royal Crown, state title on a ribbon 1905
10 bani 22 mm 4 g
20 bani 25 mm 7 g
1 leu 23 mm 5 g Silver 83.5%, Copper 16.5% Milled Value, "CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I Prince of Romania"), the effigy of Prince Carol I "1866 - 1906", "CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I King of Romania"), the effigy of the King 1906
5 lei 38 mm 25 g Silver 90%, Copper 10%
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1910 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
50 bani 18 mm 2.5 g Silver 83.5%, Copper 16.5% Milled State title, value, year of minting, olive branch, Royal Crown "CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I King of Romania"), the effigy of the King 1910
1 leu 23 mm 5 g State title, value, year of minting, peasant woman
2 lei 27 mm 10 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Ferdinand I

The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces.

First Leu Coins — 1921 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
25 bani 19 mm 0.896 g Aluminium Smooth Value, Royal Crown Eagle, state title, year of minting 1921
50 bani 21 mm 1.203 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 10, 20 and 50 lei in 1930.

First Leu Coins — 1924 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 leu 21 mm 3.5 g Copper 75%, Nickel 25% Milled "BUN PENTRU 'VALUE'" ("Good for 'value'"), wheat wreath State title, Middle coat of arms, ***, year of minting, *** 1924
2 lei 25 mm 7 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Michael I (first reign)

First Leu Coins — 1930 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
5 lei 21 mm 3.5 g Copper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1% Milled Value Lesser coat of arms, six five-pointed stars "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Michael I King of Romania"), effigy of the King, year of minting 1930 most probably 1930
20 lei 27 mm 7.5 g Value, group of dancing peasant women
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Carol II

First Leu Coins — 1930 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
10 lei 23 mm 5 g Copper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1% Milled Value, the eagle from the coat of arms wearing on the shield the Royal Cypher of King Carol II, effigy of the King, year of minting "CAROL II REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Carol II King of the Romanians"), year of minting 1930
20 lei 27 mm 7.5 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.

First Leu Coins — 1932 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
100 lei 31 mm 14 g Silver 50%, Copper 40%, Zinc 5%, Nickel 5% Milled Value, the eagle from the coat of arms, laurel leaves "CAROL II REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Carol II King of the Romanians"), effigy of the King, year of minting 1932
250 lei 29 mm 13.5 g Silver 75%, Copper 25% Value, the eagle from the coat of arms 1935
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1936 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
50 lei 24 mm 5.83 g Nickel 97.5% Milled Value, the small shield from the coat of arms timbered by the Steel Crown, laurel and oak leaves, year of minting "CAROL II REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Carol II King of the Romanians"), portrait of the King wearing a parade military helmet 1937
100 lei 27 mm 8.2 g "CAROL II REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Carol II King of the Romanians"), effigy of the King 1936
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1941-1942 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 leu 18 mm 2.75 g nickel-brass smooth maize, denomination royal crown, ROMANIA, year of minting 1938-41
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Michael I (second reign)

First Leu Coins — 1941-1942 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
2 lei 20 mm 3.2 g zinc smooth wreath, denomination "REGATUL ROMANIEI" ("Kingdom of Romania"), crown, year of minting 1941
5 lei 23 mm 4.5 g oat sprigs, denomination 1942
20 lei 26 mm 6.0 g reeded wreath, denomination 1942-1944
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1942 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
100 lei 28 mm 8.2 g nickel clad steel wreath, crown on top, denomination in the middle "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of the Romanians"), effigy of the King 1943-1944
200 lei 27 mm 7.5 g brass 1945
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1942 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
200 lei 24 mm 6 g silver 0.835 "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of the Romanians"), effigy of the King 1942
250 lei 30 mm 12 g silver 0.835 1941
500 lei 37 mm 12 g silver 0.835 PRIN STATORNICIE LA IZBANDA + Kneeling Stephan the Great holding Putna Monastery; MOLDOVA LUI STEFAN IN VECI A ROMANIEI ("Stephen's Moldavia forever to belong to Romania") 1941
500 lei 32 mm 12 g silver 0.700 1944
500 lei 30 mm 10 g brass 1945
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.
First Leu Coins — 1946-47 Series[1]
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
500 lei 24 mm 1.5 g aluminium "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of the Romanians"), effigy of the King 1946 August 15, 1947 August 15, 1947
2000 lei 24 mm 5.1 g brass 1946
10,000 lei 27 mm 10 g brass 1947
25,000 lei 32 mm 12.5 g silver 0.700 1946
100,000 lei 37 mm 25 g silver 0.700 1946
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Second leu

In 1947, coins were issued before the abdication of King Michael I, in denominations of 50 bani, 1, 2 and 5 lei.

King Michael I

Second Leu Coins — 1947 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
50 bani 16 mm 1.7 g nickel-brass value "ROMANIA", crown, year of minting 1947 1947 1952
1 leu 18 mm 2.5 g brass value, ears of wheat on the sides "ROMANIA", royal coat of arms, olive branches, year of minting
2 lei 21 mm 3.5 g bronze
5 lei 23 mm 1.5 g aluminium value, ears of wheat portrait of King Michael, "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR", year of minting
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

People's Republic of Romania

After the creation of the People's Republic, new coins were issued between 1948 and 1952, in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 20 lei.

Second Leu Coins — 1947 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 leu 16 mm 1.83 g nickel-brass value, year of minting oil well, rising sun 1948 1952 1952
0.61 g aluminium
2 lei 18 mm 2.44 g nickel-brass corn cob
0.84 g aluminium
5 lei 23 mm 3.5 g bronze olive wreath, value, year of minting coat of arms, "REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA"
20 lei 26 mm 1.5 g aluminium Blacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background, value coat of arms, "REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA", year of minting
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Third leu

People's Republic of Romania

In 1952, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 bani, with the 1, 3 and 5 struck in aluminium bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. In 1955, cupro-nickel 50 bani were added.

Third Leu Coins — 1952 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 ban 16mm 1.0g aluminium bronze Smooth Value, year of minting Coat of arms 1952 1960
3 bani 18mm 2.0g
5 bani 20mm 2.4g
10 bani 17mm 1.8g cupro-nickel Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic) or Republica Populară Romînă olive wreath, year of minting
25 bani 22mm 3.6g
50 bani 25mm 4.55g Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic), year of minting Blacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background 1955
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

In 1960, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of 15 and 25 bani, with 5 bani, 1 and 3 lei coins added in 1963. All were struck in nickel-clad steel. In 1975, aluminium replaced steel in the 5 and 15 bani, with the same change happening for the 25 bani in 1982. Aluminium 5 lei were introduced in 1978.

Third Leu Coins — 1960 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
5 bani Nickel plated steel Smooth Value, year of minting Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic), year of first minting 1960 1966
15 bani Value, olive leaves
25 bani Value, agricultural scene, weat
1 leu Value, agricultural landscape; industrial elements in the background 1963
3 lei Value, industrial landscape
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Socialist Republic of Romania

Third Leu Coins — 1966 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
5 bani 16mm 1.7g Nickel plated steel Smooth Value, year of minting Coat of arms 1966 1990-1992
0.5g Aluminium 1975
15 bani 19.5mm 2.88g Nickel plated steel Value, olive leaves Coat of arms, Republica Socialistă România ("Socialist Republic of Romania"), year of first minting 1966
1.0g Aluminium 1975
25 bani 22mm 3.38g Nickel plated steel Value, agricultural scene, weat 1966
1.3g Aluminium 1982
1 leu 24.6mm 5.0g Nickel plated steel Value, agricultural landscape; industrial elements in the background 1966
3 lei 27mm 5.86g Nickel plated steel "~*~*" Value, industrial landscape 1966
5 lei 29mm 2.8g Aluminium Value, industrial scene 1978
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Post-Communist Romania

Following the end of the communist regime, a new coinage was introduced between 1990 and 1992, consisting of 1 leu in bronze clad steel, 5 and 10 lei in nickel plated steel, 20 and 50 lei in brass clad steel and nickel plated steel 100 lei.

Third Leu Coins — 1990 Series
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse
1 leu 19 mm 2.50 g Copper plated steel Smooth Value, oak leaves, weat Insignia of the National Bank, state title, year of minting, oak leaves 1992 1 July 2005 Indefinite
Value, state title, weat Coat of arms, year of minting 1993 1 July 2005 Indefinite
5 lei 21 mm 3.35 g Nickel plated steel Smooth State Title, value, oak leaves Coat of arms, year of minting 1992 1 November 2004 1 April 2005
10 lei 23 mm 4.65 g "~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦" Value, year of minting, olive leaves Flag, state title,
"22 DECEMBRIE 1989"		 1990
5 g Smooth State title, value, olive leaves Coat of arms, year of minting 1992
20 lei 24 mm 5 g Brass plated steel Smooth Value, oak leaves, year of minting Ştefan cel Mare, state title, "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" 1991 1 November 2004 1 April 2005
50 lei 26 mm 5.9 g Value, olive leaves, year of minting Alexandru Ioan Cuza, state title, "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA" 1991
100 lei 29 mm 8.75 g Nickel plated steel "ROMANIA *** ROMANIA *** ROMANIA ***" Value, oak leaves, olive leaves, year of minting Mihai Viteazul, state title, "MIHAI VITEAZUL" 1991 1 July 2005 Indefinite
500 lei 24 mm 3.75 g Magnesium - Aluminium alloy (AlMg3) "ROMANIA ♦ ROMANIA ♦ ROMANIA ♦" State title, value, olive leaves Coat of arms, year of minting, olive leaves 1999
State title, value, Coat of arms, year of minting, a moon eclipsing the Sun "ECLIPSA TOTALǍ DE SOARE 11 AUGUST 1999", allegoric representation of the eclipse, "'99" 1999
1,000 lei 22 mm 2 g Alternately smooth and milled State title, value, year of minting, Coat of arms Constantin Brâncoveanu, years of rule, "CONSTANTIN BRANCOVEANU" 2000
5,000 lei 24 mm
dodecagonal		 2.50 g Twelve smooth edges State title, value Coat of arms, year of minting, ornamental leaves 2001
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

As inflation took its toll, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lei coins were introduced in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, and were the only coins circulating when the revaluation occurred. They were all criticized for being clumsy and difficult to use. The 500 lei coins were very thick (about 0.3 cm). Despite their small value, it took only a handful of such coins to fill one's pocket. They were also made of poor material and could be occasionally found with bite marks. The 1000 lei coin was considered too small and was also cheaply made, and the 5000 lei coin was not circular (it was a dodecagon). This made it awkward to handle and difficult to use in slot machines, where it was frequently the only coin accepted. The 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lei coins became worth 5, 10 and 50 bani with the revaluation.

Fourth leu

In 2005, the following coins were introduced for circulation:

New Leu Coins (2005 series)
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue
1 b 16.75 mm 1.6 mm 2.4 g Brass plated steel Smooth Coat of arms, state title, year of minting Value 2005 1 July 2005
5 b 18.25 mm 1.6 mm 2.8 g Copper plated steel Milled (102 reeds) Coat of arms, state title, year of minting Value 2005 1 July 2005
10 b 20.50 mm 1.8 mm 4.0 g Nickel plated steel Alternately smooth and milled (3 groups of 20 reeds) Coat of arms, state title, year of minting Value 2005 1 July 2005
50 b 23.75 mm 1.9 mm 6.1 g Brass
80% copper
15% zinc
5% nickel		 "ROMANIA * ROMANIA *" Coat of arms, state title, year of minting Value 2005 1 July 2005
Aurel Vlaicu, 1910 (year of first Romanian flight), years of birth and death of Aurel Vlaicu Value, Coat of arms, state title, year of minting 2010 25 October 2010
Value, Coat of arms, state title, year of minting, Cozia Monastery Mircea cel Bătrân, 1386-1418 (years of reign) 2011 12 September 2011
Value, "ROMANIA", year of issue "2012", Curtea de Argeş monastery church in section, Coat of arms Portrait of Neagoe Basarab, Curtea de Argeș church, "1512", "BISERICA MANASTIRII CURTEA DE ARGES" "NEAGOE BASARAB" 2012 25 June 2012
Value, "ROMANIA", year of issue "2014", a composition representing St. Nicholas Princely Church in Curtea de Argeş Portrait of Prince Vladislav I Vlaicu, the obverse and the reverse of a ducat that he issued, the inscriptions “VLADISLAV I VLAICU” and “1364” (the year of his ascent to the throne of Wallachia) 2014 28 April 2014
 Value, "ROMANIA", year of issue "2015", Coat of arms, in the background a continuous five row inscription of the text: "BNR50" The Old Palace of the Romanian National Bank, the inscriptions "10 ANI", "DENOMINAREA MONEDEI NATIONALE" and "2005" the year of the denomination. 2015 1 July 2015
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

References

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