1196) Romania's Centenary Anniversary of the Great Union of 01.12.1918: Ion I.C. Bratianu (1864-1927): A polymer commemorative Banknote of 100 Lei issued by the Banca Nationala'a Romaniei (Central Bank of Romania): Date of issue: 01.12.2019:
The Front of the 100 Lei polymer Banknote, placed against an enlarged image of the Banknote
The Central Bank of Romania has issued a commemorative polymer Banknote in the denomination of 100 Lei on 01.12.2019, to commemorate the Centennial milestone of the completion of the Great Union, in which the ethnically Romanian regions of Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina were united with the Romanian Kingdom on 01.12.1918.
The Great Reunion of Romania after World War I in 1918:
The Great Reunion occurred at the end of World War I in which the United Territories largely populated with Romanians from the former Austrian-Hungarian and the Russian Empire with the rest of the independent Kingdom of Romania were unified together.
As a result of the War and the negotiations which formally concluded the fighting, the now expanded Nation-State encompassed the majority of territories which included a majority of ethnic Romanians all united into one geo-political state. Through the acquisition of Transylvania and the region of Banat from Hungary, Bukovina from Austria and Bessarabia from Russia - the country's territory almost doubled and its population now numbered more than 16.0 million citizens and included substantial minorities.
The Great Union of all Romanians was made official on 01.12.1918, when all the 1228 duly appointed representative's signatures were placed on the Resolution of the National Assembly in Alba Lulia. The choice of Alba lulia took precedence over other cities as it was an important location during the Revolution of 1848-49 and the first capital of the Romanians when Mihai Viteazul, Prince of Moldavia and de facto ruler of Tranylvania managed to unite the three Romanian regions of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldova for the first time in 1599.
The efforts of Queen Maria of Romania (1875-1938), who attended the Conference were instrumental in securing international recognition of the country's new borders.
Ion I.C.(Ionel) Bratianu: was an engineer, politician, the President of the National Liberal Party and an honorary member of the Romanian Academy from 1923.
He completed his studies in Bucharest and {aris at the famous School of Roads and Bridges and became a specialist engineer in the construction of Railways. and was employed with the Romanian Railways.
As an heir to one of the most influential political families in Romania, he opted for a political career and was appointed Minister at the age of 33 and leader of the National Liberal Party. His primary foreign policy objectives at this time included, Romania's detachment from the Triple Alliance and its orientation towards the entente. In his stated opinion, he wanted the unification of all Romanians into one state. As head of the government at the end of World War I, he was the decisive force in the creation and international recognition of a united Romania.
After the Resolution of Union of Transylvania with Romania on 01.12.1918, he dominated Romania's political life for two decades with authority and vision. He was always guided by the principle of defending the interests of the country.
As a result of the War and the negotiations which formally concluded the fighting, the now expanded Nation-State encompassed the majority of territories which included a majority of ethnic Romanians all united into one geo-political state. Through the acquisition of Transylvania and the region of Banat from Hungary, Bukovina from Austria and Bessarabia from Russia - the country's territory almost doubled and its population now numbered more than 16.0 million citizens and included substantial minorities.
The Great Union of all Romanians was made official on 01.12.1918, when all the 1228 duly appointed representative's signatures were placed on the Resolution of the National Assembly in Alba Lulia. The choice of Alba lulia took precedence over other cities as it was an important location during the Revolution of 1848-49 and the first capital of the Romanians when Mihai Viteazul, Prince of Moldavia and de facto ruler of Tranylvania managed to unite the three Romanian regions of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldova for the first time in 1599.
The efforts of Queen Maria of Romania (1875-1938), who attended the Conference were instrumental in securing international recognition of the country's new borders.
Ion I.C.(Ionel) Bratianu: was an engineer, politician, the President of the National Liberal Party and an honorary member of the Romanian Academy from 1923.
He completed his studies in Bucharest and {aris at the famous School of Roads and Bridges and became a specialist engineer in the construction of Railways. and was employed with the Romanian Railways.
As an heir to one of the most influential political families in Romania, he opted for a political career and was appointed Minister at the age of 33 and leader of the National Liberal Party. His primary foreign policy objectives at this time included, Romania's detachment from the Triple Alliance and its orientation towards the entente. In his stated opinion, he wanted the unification of all Romanians into one state. As head of the government at the end of World War I, he was the decisive force in the creation and international recognition of a united Romania.
After the Resolution of Union of Transylvania with Romania on 01.12.1918, he dominated Romania's political life for two decades with authority and vision. He was always guided by the principle of defending the interests of the country.
The Banknote:
This face also shows his name and life years as "ION I.C. BRATIANU 1864-1927", below his portrait.
In the centre is an image of the Order of Carol I decoration, which Bratianu was conferred upon in 1922. In the background is a view of the interior of the Romanian Athenaeum, the landmark concert hall in the centre of Bucharest, the capital. Stylised geometric motifs are printed in subdued colours in the background.
This face also depicts the Coat of arms of Romania in the upper left part, the name of the issuing Central Bank "BANCA NATIONALA'A ROMANIEI" ( on the upper periphery), below which is the National Bank of Romania logo placed in a medallion. The face value of the Banknote appears four times on this face - "UNA SUTA LEI" and "LEI UNA SUTA" (in words), meaning "One Hundred Lei" and twice in numerals "100".
The Back of the 100 Lei polymer Banknote shows the former palace of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament (at left), which is now the Patriarchate Palace. In the centre if the Reverse of the Order of Carol I decoration.
This face also depicts the Coat of arms of Romania in the upper left part, the name of the issuing Central Bank "BANCA NATIONALA'A ROMANIEI" ( on the upper periphery), below which is the National Bank of Romania logo placed in a medallion. The face value of the Banknote appears four times on this face - "UNA SUTA LEI" and "LEI UNA SUTA" (in words), meaning "One Hundred Lei" and twice in numerals "100".
The specifications of this Banknote are:
Size: 147.0 mm x 82.0 mm; Printed on: Polymer substrate in plane/relief mixed technique with complete transparent window; Printing Limit: 10,000 pieces; Year of issue: 2019.
Security Features:
The Banknote has several sophisticated anti-counterfeiting devices, although it is meant to be a Collector's item only and not meant for general circulation.
A transparent vertical window has a multi-toned portrait of Bratianu in the centre. In the window's top portion, the reverse of the Order of Carol I includes an element in the middle that is visible only when viewed under special lighting.
Around the window's central part, as well a, above and below the window, graphics in Optically Variable blue Green Ink change colour depending on their tilt.
Visible on both sides, when the Banknote is held up against the light, is a stylised depiction of a skylight built into the inner dome of the Athenaeum.
The Banknote also has Micro-text, Iridescence, Laser Micro-perforations of the face value "100", UV Fluorescent Ink on the Back and Black Magnetic Ink in the serial number.
Links to some posts on Romanian currency and philately on this Blog:
9) "Romanian Collections - Gramophones, Romania: Six stamps depicting Wooden Horn Gramophone (Lei 1.40), Brass Horn Gramophone (Lei 1.60), Veneer Horn Gramophone (Lei 1.80), Hot Air operated Gramophone (Lei 7.0), Child Gramophone with Chocolate Disk (Lei 8.50) & Coin operated Salon Gramophone (Lei 12.0): Date of stamp set issue: 12.12.2019
10) Romania's Centenary Anniversary of the Great Union of 01.12.1918: Ionel I.C. Bratianu (1864-1927): A polymer commemorative Banknote of 100 Lie issued by the Banca Nationala'a Romaniei (Central Bank of Romania): Date os issue: 01.12.2019
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great Post."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteAshok Borate has commented:
ReplyDelete"Nice information."
Thank you, Ashokji.
DeleteChandrakant Singh has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great information, thanks. It's impossible to fathom the oceans, as well as, knowledge!"
Thanks, Singh sahab. It is indeed so. Mints across the World are constantly trying to unearth interesting topics and make coins on them for posterity.
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