5000 lei 1943

Common. The 1943 5000 Lei (Pick-55) is a regularly issued denomination with substantial circulation. eBay market data shows consistent sales of UNC examples in the $10–$25 range historically, with recent PMG 66 examples reaching $89–$107.50, indicating strong collector interest but not genuine scarcity. Catalog values (2016) list UNC at $30, placing this note firmly in the common category despite being a WW2-era issue. The existence of multiple signature varieties and the fact that this design continued into 1944–1945 (Pick-56 variant) further indicates robust print runs.

Issued during World War II by the Banca Naţională a României on 28 September 1943, this banknote commemorates two of antiquity's most significant figures in Romanian national identity: the Roman Emperor Trajan and the Dacian King Decebal. The reverse imagery celebrating industry and agriculture reflects Romania's economic priorities during the conflict period, when the nation was navigating complex wartime alliances and industrial production was critical to national survival.

The obverse features dual profile portraits of Trajan (left) and Decebal (right) enclosed within a circular medallion frame, positioned in the upper left quadrant. The Romanian coat of arms—a crowned eagle bearing a heraldic shield—occupies the center, flanked by the denomination '5000' on both left and right sides. The composition is framed by ornamental geometric borders and fine interlaced patterns rendered in blue and cream tones with red serial numbers. The reverse presents a horizontally divided allegorical scene: the left side illustrates industrial progress with an oil derrick (petroleum tower) rising above factory buildings with smoking chimneys; the right side depicts agricultural labor showing a farmer guiding oxen pulling a plow across cultivated fields, with radiating sun rays symbolizing hope and national renewal. The Romanian coat of arms appears again on the right margin, with a watermark area (showing Trajan's portrait) on the left side. A prominent counterfeiting warning occupies the lower portion.

FRONT: 'BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI' (National Bank of Romania) / 'CINCI MII LEI' (Five Thousand Lei) / '5000' (numerical denomination) / 'P 05140622' (serial number) / 'GUVERNATOR' (Governor) / 'CASIER CENTRAL' (Central Cashier) / '28 SEPTEMBRIE 1943' (28 September 1943). BACK: 'ROMANIA' (Romania) / '5000' (numerical denomination) / 'FALSIFICATORI ACESTOR BILETE, ACEI CAR VOR FI INTREBUNJATI BILETE FALSIFICATE VOR FI PEDEPSITI CONFORM LEGILOR PENALE ACESTOR TIMP SI ASEMAENA PARTE VOR FI PEDEPSITI CONFORM LEGILOR PENALE' (Counterfeiters of these notes, those who will be found using counterfeit notes will be punished according to the criminal laws of these times and similarly will be punished according to criminal laws).

The note employs intaglio engraving with multi-color letterpress printing. Fine line work, cross-hatching, and intricate geometric patterns characteristic of security printing from this era are evident throughout. The detailed portraiture, ornamental borders, and allegorical scene demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship typical of Banca Naţională a României's contract printers. The multiple color separations (blue, brown, cream, and red accents) and watermark integration indicate sophisticated security printing technology consistent with 1940s central bank standards.

This example is dated 28 September 1943 and displays serial number 'P 05140622' with the 'P' prefix. The catalog notes two signature varieties exist for Pick-55. The visual analysis indicates this specific specimen represents the 1943 date variety (as distinguished from later 1944 dated examples visible in circulation records). The Trajan watermark is consistent with the 1943–1944 issue group before the transition to the 'BNR' monogram watermark seen on Pick-56 (10.10.1944–20.12.1945).