Old 1,000 lek note to be withdrawn from circulation

TIRANA, Jan. 5 – The old 1,000 Lek롢anknote (equivalent to around 10 US dollars) bearing the portrait of Skanderbeg, Albania’s National Hero, will be finally withdrawn from circulation on 30 March, 2011, according to a Bank of Albania decision.
Starting from April 1, 2011, the note will no longer have ‘legal tender’ status, says the central bank.
“As of 1 April 2011, the 1,000 Leke banknote may no longer be used as an official means of payment. It can be collected versus exchange at 100 % face value, at the banking system windows. Collection term expires on 31 December 2013.”
The 1000 Lek롮ote was printed for the first time in 1992 in China. The “De La Rue” Company reprinted the same denomination in 1994 with the same security features as in the old one, but the year and the signatures are different. The note was reprinted twice in 1995 and 1996 by “Tumba Bruk” Company, where security features have improved, but the year and the signatures are different. It was issued respectively on 29 February 1996 and on 11 July 1997.
The 1,000 Lek롮ote has on the front a portrait of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the Albanian National Hero, and the ornate face value.
The back of the note features a large “1000” number printed vertically on the right, Skanderbeg’s shield in the center and the Castle of Kruja on the left.
The central bank says the note can be converted 100 percent in every bank until 31 December 2013.