The Ukrainian branch of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) is proud to announce the results of the annual Commemorative Banknote of the Year 2024 competition. This competition, which brings together banknote collectors from all over the world, aims to recognize the best examples of monetary design and innovative solutions in the field of banknote production. This year, the event attracted a record number of participants: collectors from 33 countries voted, which is one of the highest numbers in the history of the competition.
The winner of the competition is the Romanian 100 lei banknote
The Romanian commemorative 100 lei banknote dedicated to the 185th anniversary of the birth of King Carol I won the competition. It received 652 points, significantly outperforming its closest competitors. The design of the banknote, its technological solutions, and historical significance have been recognized not only among European collectors but also in the international community.
The main elements of the banknote:
Obverse: The obverse of the banknote features a portrait of King Carol I, as well as scenes depicting the struggle for the liberation of Romania. The central element is the reverse of the Order of the Star of Romania, which symbolizes the country's military prowess and independence. Other details include the Romanian coat of arms, the National Bank logo, the dates of the king's life (1839-1914), and the date of issue - December 1, 2024.
Reverse: The reverse side features an image of Peles Castle, one of Romania's most recognizable architectural landmarks, as well as a statue of Carol I. Special emphasis is placed on the bridge that crosses the Danube in Cernavoda - this bridge bears the name of the king and is an important symbol of Romania's infrastructural development during his reign.
Watermark: The watermark contains the image of the Romanian Star and the National Bank logo, which confirms the authenticity of the banknote and protects it from counterfeiting.
Top 5 commemorative banknotes of 2024
The final list of winners includes the following banknotes:
Romania, 100 lei - 652 points
185 years since the birth of King Carol I
Poland, 20 zloty - 247 points
80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising
Ukraine, 20 hryvnia - 233 points
Unity will save the world
Samoa, 20 tala - 146 points
Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Eastern Caribbean states, 50 dollars - 127 points
The 50th anniversary of independence.
This contest proves once again that banknotes are more than just money. They are carriers of culture, symbols of identity, and a tool for preserving history. We are looking forward to the new issues of 2025 and hope that each of you will be able to build your dream collection this year.
TO BUY THE 100 LEI, ROMANIA, 2024 BANKNOTE CLICK ON THIS TEXT
Author of the article, Vitalii Cherniuk
IBNS member - 13299-R
