20 Lei
Romania · Banca Nationala a Romaniei
Launched on Romania's National Day, 1 December 2021, the 20 Lei note honours Ecaterina Teodoroiu (1894-1917), a nurse-turned-soldier who fell in combat during World War I and became a national heroine. The obverse shows her portrait alongside crocuses and a Romanian Scout Association badge, while the reverse depicts the winged Victory on the Victory Medal and the Mausoleum at Marasesti. Measuring 136 x 77 mm and printed on polymer, the note is a historic first as Romania's only legal tender banknote to feature solely a female figure.
Highlights
ReasonNew commemorative-style issue entering regular circulation, launched on Romania's National Day to honour the centenary of World War I and celebrate a pioneering female national heroine
DesignObverse: portrait of Ecaterina Teodoroiu, crocus bouquet, Scout badge; Reverse: winged Victory on Victory Medal, Mausoleum at Marasesti, fleur-de-lis; dominant color olive green; polymer substrate
Security featuresComplex transparent window shaped as the Virtutea Militara (Military Virtue) medal with a gold military trumpet element, color-shifting ink (gold to green), watermark portrait of Ecaterina Teodoroiu with BNR logo, polymer substrate
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