Independent Albania (1912-1913), Principality of Albania (1913-1925), Republic of Albania (1925-1928), Kingdom of Albania (1928-1939), Albanian Kingdom (Italian Protetcorate) (1939-1943), Albanian Kingdom (German Occupation) (1943-1944), Democratic Government of Albania (1944-1946), People's Republic of Albania (1946-1976), People's Socialist Republic of Albania (1976-1991), Republic of Albania (1991-present)
Country in Eastern Europe
Location: Southern Balkans
Capital City: Vlorë (1912-1914), Durrës (1914-1920), Tirana (1920-present)
Government type: Provisional Government (1912-1913, 1944-1946), Constitutional Monarchy (1913-1925, 1928-1939), Republic (1925-1928), Protectorate of Italy (1939-1943), German Military Administration (1943-1944), Communist Republic (1946-1991), Republic (1991-present)
Main languages: Albanian
Main religions: Sunni Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Catholic Chrisitianity, Bektashi Islam, Atheism
Chronology
1912: Independence from the Ottoman Empire
1913: Principality established
1914-1920: Internal breakdown of order
1914-1916: Southern regions occupied by Greece
1916-1919: Occupied by Austria-Hungary, government goes into exile
1918-1920: Parts of the countries occupied by France and Italy
1925: Republic proclaimed
1928: Kingdom established
1939: Invaded and occupied by Italy, de jure in personal union, de facto annexation
1943: Germany takes over military administration of Albania after Italy joins Allies
1944: Germans expelled from Albania, provisional government established with Soviet backing
1946: Communist republic established
1991: Communist regime falls, Republic established
Currency
Old Lek (1926-1955)
100 Qindarka = 1 Lek • 5 Lek = 1 Franga Ari
New Lek (1955-present)
100 Qindarka = 1 Lek
Coins from Albania in the collection
Kingdom (1928-1939)
•1/2 Lek, 1931 (King Zog I (1928-1939), nickel, London mint, KM#13)
•1 Frang (5 Lek), 1937 (King Zog I (1928-1939), silver (.835), Rome mint, KM#16)
Italian Rule (1939-1943)
•5 Lek, 1939 (Vittotio Emanuelle III (1939-1943), silver (.835), Rome mint, KM#33)
Communist Republic (1946-1991)
•20 Qindarka, 1969 (aluminum, Shanghai mint, KM#46) Commemorative: 20th anniversary of Liberation in WWII
•1 Lek, 1969 (aluminum, Shanghai mint, KM#48) Commemorative: 20th anniversary of Liberation in WWII
Republic (1991-present)
•1 Lek, 1996 (bronze, KM#75)
•5 Lek, 1995 (nickel-plated steel, Warsaw mint, KM#76)
•10 Lek, 2013 (brass-plated steel, Warsaw mint, KM#77a)
•100 Lek, 2000 (coopper-aluminum-nickel center in cupronickel ring, Paris mint, KM#80)
Banknotes from Albania in the collection
Communist Republic (1946-1991)
•1 Lek, 1976 (P#33)
•10 Lek, 1976 (P#36)
Republic (1991-present)
•100 Lek, 1996 (P#55)
•200 Lek, 2001 (P#63)