The Coins of the Romanian leu have been issued since the introduction of the Romanian leu in 1867.
First leu
In 1867, copper 1, 2, 5 and 10 bani were issued, with gold 20 lei (known as poli after the French Napoleons) first minted the next year. These were followed, between 1870 and 1873, by silver 50 bani, 1 and 2 lei. Silver 5 lei were added in 1880. Uniquely, the 1867 issue used the spelling 1 banu rather than 1 ban.
In 1900, cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 20 bani coins were introduced, with holed versions following in 1905. The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces. Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 5, 10 and 20 lei in 1930. In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.
In 1941 and 1942, zinc 2, 5 and 20 lei coins were introduced, together with silver 200 and 500 lei. Nickel-clad-steel 100 lei followed in 1943, with brass 200 and 500 lei issued in 1945. In 1946 and 1947, a new coinage was issued consisting of aluminium 500 lei, brass 2000 and 10,000 lei, and silver 25,000 and 100,000 lei.
King Carol I 1867-1873 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 1 banu 15 mm 1 g copper Smooth Value, wreath, year of minting coat of arms 1867 19 December 1931 2 bani 20 mm 2 g 5 bani 25 mm 3.5 g 10 bani 30 mm 4.5 g50 bani18 mm2.5 gsilverReededCrown above date within wreathValue above sprays18731 leu23 mm5 gValue, wreath, year of mintingCAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, Lord of Romania")1870 2 lei 27 mm 10 g Value, wreath, ROMANIA coat of arms, year of minting 1872
1880s Series First Leu Coins – 1880s Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 2 bani 20 mm2 g copperSmooth Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, Lord of Romania") 188019 December 1931 5 bani 25 mm 3.5 g CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania") 188250 bani2.5 gsilver 83.5%MilledValue, year of minting1884
1900 Series First Leu Coins – 1900 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 1 ban 15 mm 1 g copper 95%, tin 4%, zinc 1% Smooth Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania") 1900 19 December 1931 2 bani 20 mm 2 g 5 bani 19 mm 3.5 g copper 75%, nickel 25% ROMANIA, value Steel crown, wreath, year of minting 1900 10 bani 22 mm 4.5 g 20 bani 25 mm 7 g
1905 Series Five, ten and twenty-bani coins are holed.Romanian coins gallery Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 5 bani 19 mm 2.5 g Copper 75%, Nickel 25% Smooth Value, year of minting, two roses Royal Crown, state title on a ribbon 1905 19 December 1931 10 bani 22 mm 4 g 20 bani 25 mm 7 g 1 leu 23 mm 5 g Silver 83.5%, Copper 16.5% Milled Value, "CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I Prince of Romania"), the effigy of Prince Carol I "1866 - 1906", "CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I King of Romania"), the effigy of the King 1881 5 lei 38 mm 25 g Silver 90%, Copper 10% 1880
1910 series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 50 bani 18 mm 2.5 g Silver 83.5%, Copper 16.5% Milled State title, value, year of minting, olive branch, Royal Crown "CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I King of Romania"), the effigy of the King 1910 19 December 1931 1 leu 23 mm 5 g State title, value, year of minting, peasant woman 2 lei 27 mm 10 g
King Ferdinand I The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces.
Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 10, 20 and 50 lei in 1930.
+ First Leu Coins – Ferdinand I Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 25 bani 19 mm 0.896 g Aluminium Smooth Value, Royal Crown Eagle, state title, year of minting 1921 1 June 1940 31 March 1941 (unofficial, BNR accepted the change until mid-1942) 50 bani 21 mm 1.203 g 1 leu 21 mm 3.5 g Copper 75%, Nickel 25% Milled "BUN PENTRU 'VALUE'" ("Good for 'value'"), wheat wreath State title, Middle coat of arms, ***, year of minting, *** 1924 1 June 1940 31 March 1941 (unofficial, BNR accepted the change until mid-1942) 2 lei 25 mm 7 g
King Michael I (first reign) + First Leu Coins – Michael I Series I Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 5 lei 21 mm 3.5 g Copper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1% Milled Value Lesser coat of arms, six five-pointed stars "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Michael I King of Romania"), effigy of the King, year of minting 1930 1 January 1938 April 1943 20 lei 27 mm 7.5 g Value, group of dancing peasant women 19 December 1931 1 April 1933
King Carol II In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.
+ First Leu Coins – 1930 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 10 lei 23 mm 5 g Copper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1% Milled Value, the eagle from the coat of arms, effigy of the King, year of minting "CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II, King of Romania"), year of minting 1930 20 lei 27 mm 7.5 g 100 lei 31 mm 14 g Silver 50%, Copper 40%, Zinc 5%, Nickel 5% Milled Value, the eagle from the coat of arms, laurel leaves "CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II, King of Romania"), effigy of the King, year of minting 1932 25 July 1937 28 February 1938 250 lei 29 mm 13.5 g Silver 75%, Copper 25% 11 February 1936released later than the 1935 year stated on the coin 31 August 1938 15 August 1939
+ First Leu Coins – 1936 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 50 lei 24 mm 5.83 g Nickel 97.5% Milled Value, the small shield from the coat of arms timbered by the Steel Crown, laurel and oak leaves, year of minting "CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), portrait of the King wearing a parade military helmet September 1937 12 October 1941 31 December 1941 100 lei 27 mm 8.2 g "CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), effigy of the King December 1936 12 October 1941 31 December 1941 250 lei 30 mm 12 g Silver 83,5%, Copper 16,5% + MUNCA + CREDINTA + REGE + NATIUNE "CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), effigy of the King 1939 31 July 1941 31 August 1941
First Leu Coins – 1941-1942 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 1 leu 18 mm 2.75 g nickel-brass smooth maize, denomination royal crown, ROMANIA, year of minting 1 June 1940 (all the coins marked as 1938, 1939 and 1940 were released in 1940)
King Michael I (second reign)
First Leu Coins – 1941-1942 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 2 lei 20 mm 3.2 g zinc smooth wreath, denomination "REGATUL ROMANIEI" ("Kingdom of Romania"), crown, year of minting 1941 5 lei 23 mm 4.5 g oat sprigs, denomination 1942 20 lei 26 mm 6.0 g reeded wreath, denomination 1942–1944
First Leu Coins – 1942 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 100 lei 28 mm 8.2 g nickel clad steel wreath, crown on top, denomination in the middle "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of Romania"), effigy of the King 1943–1944 200 lei 27 mm 7.5 g brass 1945
First Leu Coins – 1942 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 200 lei 24 mm 6 g silver 0.835 NIHIL + SINE + DEO "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of Romania"), effigy of the King 1942 250 lei 30 mm 12 g silver 0.835 10 March 1941 500 lei 37 mm 12 g silver 0.835 PRIN STATORNICIE LA IZBANDA + Kneeling Stephan the Great holding Putna Monastery; MOLDOVA LUI STEFAN IN VECI A ROMANIEI ("Stephen's Moldavia forever to belong to Romania") 1941 500 lei 32 mm 12 g silver 0.700 June 1944 28 August 1945 15 September 1945 500 lei 30 mm 10 g brass 1945
First Leu Coins – 1946-47 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 500 lei 24 mm 1.5 g aluminium "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of Romania"), effigy of the King 1946 15 August 1947 15 August 1947 2000 lei 24 mm 5.1 g brass 1946 10,000 lei 27 mm 10 g brass 1947 25,000 lei 32 mm 12.5 g silver 0.700 1946 100,000 lei 37 mm 25 g silver 0.700 1946
Second leu In 1947, coins were issued before the abdication of King Michael I, in denominations of 50 bani, 1, 2 and 5 lei.
King Michael I Second Leu Coins – 1947 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 50 bani 16 mm 1.7 g nickel-brass value "ROMANIA", crown, year of minting 15 August 1947 1948 1952 1 leu 18 mm 2.5 g brass value, ears of wheat on the sides "ROMANIA", royal coat of arms, olive branches, year of minting 2 lei 21 mm 3.5 g bronze 5 lei 23 mm 1.5 g aluminium value, ears of wheat portrait of King Michael, "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR", year of minting
People's Republic of Romania After the creation of the People's Republic, new coins were issued between 1948 and 1952, in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 20 lei.
Second Leu Coins – 1947 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 1 leu 16 mm 1.83 g nickel-brass value, year of minting oil well, rising sun 1948 30 January 1952 1 February 1952 0.61 g aluminium 2 lei 18 mm 2.44 g nickel-brass corn cob 0.84 g aluminium 5 lei 23 mm 3.5 g bronze olive wreath, value, year of minting coat of arms, "REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA" 20 lei 26 mm 1.5 g aluminium Blacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background, value coat of arms, "REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA", year of minting
Third leu
People's Republic of Romania
In 1952, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 bani, with the 1, 3 and 5 struck in aluminium bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. In 1955, cupro-nickel 50 bani were added.
Third Leu Coins – 1952 Series Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting withdrawal lapse 1 ban 16 mm 1.0g aluminium bronze Milled Value, year of minting Coat of arms 28 January 1952 31 December 1996 16 January 1997 3 bani 18 mm 2.0g 5 bani 20 mm 2.4g 10 bani 17 mm 1.8g cupro-nickel Milled olive wreath, year of minting, value Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic) or Republica Populară Romînă 25 bani 22 mm 3.6g 50 bani 25 mm 4.55g Blacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background, value Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic), year of minting 1955