Romania (2003-nowadays)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period in which Romania chose its third president, Traian Băsescu, who chose Călin Popescu Tăriceanu of PNL to make a coalition government without the PSD, and joined NATO (2004) with the acceptance of the majority of its population. During the period after the fall of the communist regime, between 4 and 12 million people left the country in search of a better life, mainly to Italy and Spain, facilitated by the accession to the European Union (EU), where they entered the 1st of January 2007. In January 2012, the largest protests since 1989 were organized for the eco-economic crisis and the introduction of a reform in the health system. There are banknotes of 1 leu, 5 lei, 10 lei, 50 lei, 100 lei, 200 lei and 500 lei.

5 lei (cinci lei)

This banknote worth 5 lei was first circulated in July the 1st of 2005. On the main side right it can be seen George Enescu, Romanian 20th century composer, violinist, pedagogue, pianist and conductor, considered one of the most important musicians of his country. In the center appears a carnation, musical notes and the name and symbol of the National Bank in Romanian (Banca Naţională a României), plus the written name of the banknote and two 5's. In the left appear Romania's coat of arms and decorative elements too.
On the other side of the banknote there's the Romanian Athenaeum, a 1888 concert hall in the center of Bucharest, a piano and a part of George Enescu opera Œdipe's score. Moreover there are two 5's, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank. Unlike many banknotes, it's made of polymer (plastic) so that is why this banknote has no digital watermark but transparent windows (with quaver) and a security thread too. The size of this banknote is 12.7 cm x 6.7 cm.