The banknote is a familiar mean of payment in the form of a printed piece of paper issued by a bank. Since 19th century, the banknotes have been printed on thin, multilayer handling-resistant paper, bearing a watermarked image as a mean of protection against counterfeiting.
After 1980, many countries adopted polymer (polypropylene) banknotes. In 2008, only five countries used such banknotes:Australia,New Zealand,Brunei,RomaniaandVietnam.
The first polymer banknote issued inRomania(National Bank) was that one of 2,000 Lei, released in 1999 on the occasion of the total solar eclipse on the 11th of August, our country being the first country inEuropeto put such a banknote into circulation.
Today, all Romanian banknotes in circulation are made of polymer, and each banknote shows the figure of an important representative of the national culture.
For a better knowledge and promotion of the Romanian culture and personalities, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation a new postage stamps issue – “Banknote Portraits”.
On the postage stamp with the face value of 0.80 lei, it is illustrated the portrait of Nicolae Iorga (1871-1940), a famous Romanian historian, literary critic, playwright, poet, encyclopaedist, memorialist, minister, professor and academician (1 Leu banknote).
On the postage stamp with the face value of 1.40 lei, it is illustrated the portrait of George Enescu (1881-1955), Romanian composer known worldwide, violinist, pianist and conductor, considered to be the most important Romanian musician (5 Lei banknote).
On the postage stamp with the face value of 2.10 lei, it is reproduced the portrait of Nicolae Grigorescu (1838-1907), the founder of Romanian modern painting, who received the title of Romanian Academy Member in 1899 (10 Lei banknote).
On the postage stamp with the face value of 2.40 lei, it is illustrated the portrait of Aurel Vlaicu (1882-1913), the pioneer of Romanian and world aviation, builder of flying devices and pilot (50 Lei banknote).
On the postage stamp with the face value of 3.00 lei, it is reproduced the portrait of Ion Luca Caragiale (1852-1912). He was a descendant of an actors’ family and is recognized as the greatest Romanian playwright. His work is famous due to the comedies he wrote, which continue to be in the pipeline also in present (100 Lei banknote).
On the postage stamp with the face value of 3.10 lei, it is reproduced the portrait of Lucian Blaga (1895-1961), Romanian philosopher, poet, playwright, translator, journalist, professor and diplomat (200 Lei banknote).
On the postage stamp with the face value of 6.00 lei, it is illustrated the portrait of Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), unanimously recognized as the greatest poet of Romanians (500 Lei banknote).
We would like to thank the National Bank of Romania for the documentary support granted in the accomplishment of this postage stamps issue.
Issue date: 2012-02-10
