Romania 20 Lei Ecaterina Teodoroiu 2021 Pick 119Ab Polymer UNC Banknote
The Romania 20 Lei 2021 Pick 119Ab is one of the most historically significant modern Romanian banknotes.
Issued by the National Bank of Romania (Banca Națională a României), it introduced a completely new denomination to Romania’s modern polymer banknote family and entered circulation on 1 December 2021. Legislație
The predominantly olive-green note measures 136 × 77 mm and combines the portrait of Ecaterina Teodoroiu with imagery commemorating Romania’s military history during the First World War. Legislație
Historical Background
Ecaterina Teodoroiu (1894–1917) is one of Romania’s most celebrated First World War figures.
Initially involved with the Romanian Scouts and serving as a nurse, she later joined the Romanian Army and fought on the front. She was killed in combat during the Battle of Mărășești in 1917.
Her selection for the 20 Lei was historically important. The National Bank stated that this was the first Romanian circulating banknote to feature a female personality, giving the denomination a special place in the history of Romanian currency. AGERPRES
The issue date of 1 December is also significant, as it is Romania’s National Day.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Romania
- Denomination: 20 Lei
- Date: 1 December 2021
- Pick Number: P-119Ab
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: National Bank of Romania
- Currency: Romanian Leu (RON)
- Material: Polymer
- Dimensions: 136 × 77 mm
- Dominant Colour: Olive green
- Portrait: Ecaterina Teodoroiu
- Reverse: Mărășești Mausoleum
- Printing: Offset and intaglio
- Type: Standard circulation banknote
- Status: Legal tender Legislație
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Portrait of Ecaterina Teodoroiu
- Her dates 1894–1917
- Bouquet of yellow crocuses (Crocus flavus)
- Badge of the Romanian Scouts
- Stylised Romanian infantry insignia
- Romanian Coat of Arms
- BNR monogram
- 20 Lei / Douăzeci Lei denomination
- Transparent polymer security window
- Date 1 December 2021 Legislație
The Scout badge is particularly relevant to Teodoroiu’s biography, while the infantry symbol reflects her subsequent military service.
Reverse
The reverse features:
- Mărășești Mausoleum
- Winged Victory from the Romanian Victory Medal
- Stylised lily
- 20 Lei denomination
- BNR monograms
- Serial numbers
- Iridescent security strip Legislație
The Mărășești Mausoleum commemorates Romanian soldiers who died during the First World War and directly connects the reverse with the period in which Teodoroiu fought and died.
This gives the banknote an unusually coherent historical narrative: Ecaterina Teodoroiu on the front and the memorial to the Mărășești campaign on the reverse.
Security Features
The 20 Lei incorporates an extensive range of modern security features, including:
- Polymer substrate
- Complex transparent window shaped like the Military Virtue Medal
- Golden military bugle within the transparent window
- Colour-changing ink shifting from gold to green
- Shadow image of Ecaterina Teodoroiu
- BNR shadow image
- Security thread
- Raised intaglio printing
- Latent BNR image
- See-through registration feature
- Golden iridescent strip with repeated 20
- Microtext
- UV-reactive elements
- Anti-copy and anti-scanner patterns
- Black vertical and red horizontal serial numbering Legislație
The transparent window is particularly distinctive: its shape references Romania’s “Virtutea Militară” (Military Virtue) Medal, reinforcing the military theme of the entire banknote. Legislație
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Romania 20 Lei Ecaterina Teodoroiu 2021 Pick 119Ab Polymer UNC banknote combines several particularly collectible characteristics: a new denomination, polymer technology, First World War history and a landmark representation of a woman on Romanian currency.
It is especially suitable for collectors of Romanian banknotes, European polymer currency, women on banknotes, First World War themes, military history and modern UNC world money.
