The monetary unit and official currency of the Republic of Albania is what we call "Lek". This name is used because of the myth of "Great Leka", or Alexander the Great, who lived in Mat during his childhood (in today's Northern Albania). Albanian currency "Lek" emerged first in the year 1925 during the Zog governance.
Researchers say that the women of Northern Albania (Shkoder, Mat's northeast) formed pendants with the old coins, which were put around the head and were considered as a talisman that brings luck. Interestingly they were called "Leka's coins". First Albanian bankers decided to call "lek" the national currency, as its name was ancient and as well to preserve the myth of the "Great Leka".
Floating of lek linked to the creation of the National Bank of Albania, as the Institute of emission of money. Because of historical conditions at the time, the National Bank of Albania was established on September 2, 1925 in Rome. Besides the exclusive right of the emission of banknotes, the bank had also the exclusive right of emission of coins. First emissions of the Albanian banknotes and coins were done during the year 1925. In that period 1lek was equal to 0.2 gold "francs". During the year 1926, there were emitted three banknotes with three values, equal to 5 gold "francs". On one side of these banknotes were letters, signature and seal and on the other side a drawing of a Venetian bridge. It should be mentioned the fact that all writings were in Albanian as well as in Italian language.
