In accordance with the provisions of Articles 15 and 18 of Law No. 101/1998 - The NBR Act, the National Bank of Romania shall put in circulation starting 14 December 2001, a polymer banknote with face value of ROL 50,000 and a coin with face value of ROL 5,000.
The banknote with ROL 50,000 face value has the following characteristics:
- size: 155 x 70 mm +/- 1 mm;
- filigree: the portrait of the composer George Enescu and the acronym of the National Bank of Romania;
- prevailing colour of the banknote: violet;
- background: musical notes and geometrical design both on obverse and reverse;
- transparent window with the ROL 50,000 face value printed within.
Obverse: the portrait of the composer George Enescu (1881-1955), a carnation, a violin and two musical notes. The face value in figures and letters (vertically and horizontally); the signatures of the Governor and the Head Cashier (in the centre); Romania's coat-of-arms; the name of the issuing central bank "BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI"; the acronym "BNR" and the year of issue "2001" are imprinted on the obverse as well;
Reverse: the Romanian Athenaeum, a piano and a fragment of the score of the opera "King Oedipus". The face value in figures (vertically); the face value in letters and figures (horizontally); the name of the issuing central bank "BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI" and the acronym "BNR" in the upper right and lower left corner; as well as the specification of the legal provision "FALSIFICAREA ACESTOR BILETE SE PEDEPSESTE CONFORM LEGILOR"; the series and number of the banknote printed vertically on the left side with black ink and fonts of the same height, and horizontally on the right side with red ink and fonts of ascending height, are imprinted on the reverse as well.
In order to prevent counterfeit, the banknote includes the following elements especially designed for the public:
- complex transparent window: on the left side of the obverse, the clear zone, visible from both sides with the ROL 50,000 face value imprinted within;
- filigree reproducing the portrait of the composer George Enescu and the acronym "BNR", visible when the banknote is held against the light;
- the overlapping element obverse-reverse, having the shape of a lyre beneath the acronym of the central bank. The overlapping occurs when the banknote is held against the light;
- the nacreous overprint of the portrait of the composer and the acronym BNR. The banknote with ROL 50,000 face value, year of issue 2001, will circulate along with the ROL 50,000 face value paper banknote.
The ROL 5,000 face value coin has the following characteristics:
- structure: alloy AlMg3;
- colour silvery;
- shape: dodecagonal;
- edge: smooth;
- diameter: 24 mm;
- weight: 2.5 grams.
Obverse: upper part, the coat-of-arms of Romania and the year of issue separated by a geometrical design taken from the Romanian folklore, beneath which the year of issue is imprinted between two lines.
Reverse: stylized "ROL 5,000" face value. The note "ROMANIA" is inscribed on the upper part, alongside the brim of the coin.
The dodecagonal shape helps the visually impaired recognise the face value.
The ROL 5,000 face value coin will circulate along with the ROL 5,000 face value banknote issued in 1998.
The design of the two banknotes and coins is protected by registration with the State Office of Trademarks (OSIM) in Romania.
Any reproduction, whole or in part, of the banknote or of the coin for publicity, information or commercial purposes may be done only with the prior written agreement of the National Bank of Romania.
Those committing or attempting forgery shall be convicted to 3 to 12-year imprisonment and be deprived of certain civil rights according to Article 282 0f the Penal Code.