Catalog
20 Franga
| Issuer | Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis |
|---|---|
| Year | 1939 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | The central vignette presents a reclining allegorical figure of Roma at the lower centre, rendered in fine intaglio, seated beside the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus at right. Two large circular guilloche rosettes flank the central design, with elaborate foliate and ribbon ornaments across the upper border incorporating the bank monogram medallion. The imprint 'OFFICINA DELLA BANCA D'ITALIA - ROMA' appears at the lower right margin. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A large Albanian double-headed eagle in intaglio occupies the centre of the note against a red-brown guilloche underprint, flanked by two circular watermark windows. The denomination numeral '20' appears in each corner, and decorative foliate borders frame the entire face with warning legends in Albanian and Italian against counterfeiting. |
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Issued in the immediate aftermath of Italy's April 1939 invasion and annexation of Albania, this note was produced by the Banca d'Italia's own printing works in Rome — a pointed demonstration of where monetary authority now actually resided. The Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis retained its name on the paper, but the institution had been effectively absorbed into Italian colonial financial administration.
The series to which this belongs (Pick 5–8) replaced the earlier Zog-era franc notes almost immediately upon occupation. Circulation was short — Albania's monetary system was formally integrated with the Italian lira in 1940.