1000 lei 1945

Common. The eBay market data provided shows consistent sales ranging from $3-$178 depending on grade, with UNC examples regularly selling in the $20-$60 range as recently as 2023-2026. Print runs for this denomination during the 1941-1945 issuance period were substantial, and numerous examples remain in circulation and collectors' hands. The current specimen's UNC condition, while desirable, does not command premium pricing—recent UNC sales fetched $26-$41. No print run restriction, recall notice, or short-issue status applies to Pick-52.

Issued during the final months of World War II (dated 20 March 1945), this banknote reflects Romania's transition period as the country shifted from Axis alignment toward Soviet occupation. The allegorical imagery—featuring female figures representing labor (shown with hammer and child) and authority (holding staff)—reflects the socialist realist aesthetic beginning to influence Romanian state imagery as the Soviet sphere expanded into Eastern Europe. The classical design elements suggest continuity with the pre-war banking tradition of Banca Națională a României, while the date marks one of the last emissions before the 1947 currency reform that would introduce new designs under communist rule.

The obverse features an ornate classical design with allegorical female figures positioned in all four corners, rendered in the Neoclassical style favored by Romanian state imagery of the period. The central medallion space (left unfilled on this specimen, per design) is surrounded by elaborate wreaths and decorative borders. The reverse depicts peasant labor imagery consistent with catalog descriptions: a female figure on the left (representing labor/agriculture) is shown with a hammer and child figure, while a female figure on the right holds a staff or implement, suggesting authority over harvest or land. The background landscape elements reinforce the agrarian theme. The designers N. Grigorescu and E. Gaspé SC. are credited, indicating professional engraving work. The color scheme combines blue-gray, cream/beige, and black printing, typical of the Romanian currency design tradition of the 1940s.

FRONT: 'Banca Națională a României' (National Bank of Romania), 'UNA MIE LEI' (One Thousand Lei), '1000' (numerical denomination), 'GUVERNATOR' (Governor—signature line), 'CASIER CENTRAL' (Central Cashier—signature line), '20 Martie 1945' (20 March 1945), 'N.3869' (reference number), 'N. GRIGORESCU' (engraver/designer name), 'E. GASPÉ SC.' (engraver/designer name, lower margin). Warning text: 'FALSIFICATORII ACESTOR BILETE, AICI CARI VOR FI ÎNTREBUINȚAT BILETE FALSE, COMPLICII LOR, PRECUM ȘI ACEI CARI VOR FI ÎNCERCAT A COMITE ASEMENA FAPTE VOR FI PEDEPSIT CONFORM LEGILOR PENALE' (Counterfeiters of these notes, those who will use false notes, their accomplices, and those who attempt to commit such acts will be punished according to penal laws). BACK: 'N. GRIGORESCU' and 'E. GASPÉ SC.' (engraver/designer attributions, lower left and right).

Fine line engraving on steel plates, characteristic of high-security banknote production of the era. The complex geometric patterns, ornamental borders, repeating decorative elements, and precise allegorical figure work all demonstrate the hallmarks of intaglio engraving technology. The multi-color printing (blue-gray base with pink accents in wreath areas and brown background tones) suggests separate plate passes, consistent with Romanian National Bank printing standards of the 1940s. Security features include the fine-line complexity designed to defeat contemporary counterfeiting methods, plus the prominent counterfeiting warning text printed in fine detail.

Pick-52a is the catalogued variant. The note exhibits three signature varieties according to catalog references, though this specific specimen shows the standard GUVERNATOR and CASIER CENTRAL signature spaces. Serial number 96713361 with reference marking N.3869 and component 0364 are visible. The date '20 Martie 1945' confirms this as the final issuance variant within the 1941-1945 date range for this Pick number. No overprints or significant variety markers beyond signature variations are noted in this example.