440 billion lek of national currency circulates in the market - BoA issued 22 million pieces of new coins and banknotes in 2024
The Bank of Albania has issued 22 million pieces of new coins and banknotes during 2024. The national currency in circulation reached 440 billion lek, an increase of 32 billion lek compared to the end of 2023.
According to the annual report of the Bank of Albania, 4 million new banknotes and 18 million coins were put into circulation last year. A total of 161 million banknotes worth 433 billion lek are in circulation in the hands of Albanians, as well as 291 million coins.
The number and value of banknotes in circulation has increased as a result of the production of large denominations, mainly 10,000 and 5,000 Lekë. As a result, the average value of a banknote in circulation at the end of 2024 reached 2,689 Lekë, while the average value of a metal coin in circulation was 25 Lekë per coin.
In the past year, fewer national currencies were counterfeited than in 2023. The data from the report show that the Bank of Albania has seized 156 pieces of counterfeit banknotes and 50 pieces of metal coins in total. The coefficient of counterfeit banknotes has reached its lowest historical level in 2024, proving the high quality of the new series of our banknotes. The largest number of counterfeit banknotes belongs to the old series, while 50 lekëshi, 1000 and 2000 lekëshi are the ones that are counterfeited the most.
The Bank of Albania emphasizes that counterfeits are simple reproductions with commercial digital equipment, almost exclusively with the color ink-jet technique, accompanied by the application of technological artisanal techniques to imitate security elements, while security elements readable by machines/authentication devices are not encountered in any case.
Regarding the history of the issuance of national coins, the Bank of Albania introduced a new series in 2019. 2024 marked 5 years since the introduction of the 200 Lek and 5000 Lek coins. In the case of the 200 Lek banknote, the polymer material is more physically stable, secure and helps keep the banknote clean.
Meanwhile, in 2021, the 10,000 Lekë banknote, the largest denomination of Albanian currency to date, was put into circulation for the first time.
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