אלבניה – Albania

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אלבניה                          
Albania, prior to the introduction of the lek in 1926, had no national currency. Coins of the ancient Illyrian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian empires would have circulated throughout the region, and eventually the Ottoman piastre circulated until WWI. During and following the First World War, the country was occupied by European powers and the Franc Germinal circulated. Beginning in 1923 both Italian currency and the Greek drachma were used in parts of the country. . The lek’s name is derived from Leka, the Albanian shortened name for Alexander the Great
A 5 qindar leku coin from 1926.
In 1926, bronze 5 and 10 qindar lek coins were introduced, along with nickel ¼, ½, and 1 lek coins, and silver 1, 2, and 5 franga ari coins. In 1935, bronze 1 and 2 qindar ar coins were introduced, having a value equal to the 5 and 10 qindar leku coins.
After the Italian occupation of Albania, stainless steel 0.20, 0.50, 1, and 2 lek, and silver 5 and 10 lek coins were introduced, with the silver coins only issued in 1939. In 1940, aluminum-bronze 0.05 and 0.10 lek coins were introduced. These coins were issued until 1941. .
A 1 lek coin from 2008.
In 1965, aluminum coins (dated 1964) were introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 qindarka and 1 lek. In 1995 and 1996, a new coinage was introduced, with a bronze 1 lek coin, a nickel plated steel 5 lek coin, aluminum-bronze 10 and 20 lek coins, and a cupronickel 50 lek coin. In 2000, a bimetallic 100 lek coin was introduced.
In 2008, the 1 lek coin was changed to copper plated steel, amd in 2009, the 10 lek coin was changed to brass plated steel.