Albania's shift to copper-plated steel for this denomination was a cost-cutting measure adopted across several Eastern European and Balkan states in the 2000s as zinc and nickel prices spiked on global commodity markets. The magnetic property is the giveaway — earlier aluminium issues passed through vending infrastructure with different calibration entirely, requiring quiet coordination between the Bank of Albania and domestic machine operators during the transition years.
Albania's shift to copper-plated steel for this denomination was a cost-cutting measure adopted across several Eastern European and Balkan states in the 2000s as zinc and nickel prices spiked on global commodity markets. The magnetic property is the giveaway — earlier aluminium issues passed through vending infrastructure with different calibration entirely, requiring quiet coordination between the Bank of Albania and domestic machine operators during the transition years.