Italy (1935-1944)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period of the reign of Victor Emmanuel III, under whom Benito Mussolini was prime minister, Italy conquered Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) and participated in World War II on the side of Nazi Germany, until the Armistice of Cassibile in 1943. There are banknotes of 1 lira, 2 lire, 5 lire and 10 lire.

5 lire (cinque lire)

This banknote worth 5 lire was first circulated in 1935. On the main side left it can be seen Victor Emmanuel III, next-to-last Italian king who tolerated fascism and Mussolini's government. In the right there's the written value of the banknote, a 5 and Italy's coat of arms over some fasces (Italian fascism's symbol). In the upper part appears the official name of the country (Regno d'Italia) and a text saying that this banknote is legal tender.
On the other side appears a Roman aquila (fascio littorio), a symbol of Roman legions and used in fascist Italy. Moreover there's a 5, a spiderweb and decorative elements. This banknote has many 5's all over the banknote as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 9.8 cm x 6.1 cm.

10 lire (dieci lire)

This banknote worth 10 lire was first circulated in 1939. On the main side left it can be seen Victor Emmanuel III, next-to-last Italian king who tolerated fascism and Mussolini's government, surrounded with fasces (Italian fascism's symbol). In the centerthere's the written value of the banknote, a 10 and Italy's coat of arms. In the upper part appears the official name of the country (Regno d'Italia) and a text saying that this banknote is legal tender. In the right there's a gap for the watermark and the rest of the banknote is fulled with decorative elements.
On the other side appears Athenea, Greek godness of war, civilisation, wisdom and strategy. Moreover there's a 10, the written value of the banknote and a text saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has a coin founded in Siracusa and laurel wreath as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 9.8 cm x 6.4 cm.

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Albania: occupation by Italy (1939-1945)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period in which, after refusing the March 25th ultimatum that Benito Mussolini gave to king Zog I and the birth of the Albanian throne heir Leka I, the Italian government invaded Albania. Albania's parliament named Victor Emmanuel III of Italy king and Shefqet Vërlaci as Prime Minister and, despite the Italian defeats in the Greco-Italian War, the success of the Axis Invation of Yugoslavia made the Italian Albania absorb zones of Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia (inhabited by ethnic Albanians). The regime colapsed suddenly in September 1943 after Mussolini's overthrow, with some Albanian riots (taking advantage of the fact that Italian soldiers didn't receive any orders whether giving the territory to the Allies or asking for help to the German soldiers in Yugoslavia). When Italy surrender to the Allies, the German Wehrmacht in the Balkans invaded Albania in September 1943, replacing the Italian administration for a German militar authority till October 1944. There are banknotes of 5 Albanian francs, 20 Albanian francs and 100 Albanian francs and later banknotes of 2 lekë, 5 lekë y 10 lekë.

5 Albanian francs (pesë franka/cinque franchi)

This banknotes worth 5 Albanian francs was first circulated in 1939. On the main side right it can be seen the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Albanian (Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis) and in Italian (Banca Nazionale D'Albania) over a 5. There are four 5's, a gap for the digital watermark and a text in both languages saying that who makes or uses fake banknotes will be punished.
In the back part of the banknote it can be seen Albanian coat of arms' eagle in the left and in the upper and lower part, the written value of the banknote in Albanian and Italian surrounded by two fascis, with the National Bank's acornym in Italian. Moreover it has floral and fruit patern decoration. This banknote has the portrait of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 13.1 cm x 7.1 cm.

20 Albanian francs (njizet franka/venti franchi)

This banknotes worth 20 Albanian francs was first circulated in 1939. On the main side center it can be seen the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Albanian (Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis) and in Italian (Banca Nazionale D'Albania). There are two gaps for the digital watermark, National Bank's acornym in Albanian's acornym and decorative elements, completed with the godness Roma (alegoric godness of Rome) and the Capitoline Wolf (she-wolf which suckling the twins founders of Rome).
In the back part of the banknote it can be seen Albanian coat of arms' eagle and in the upper and lower part, the written value of the banknote in Albanian and Italian, with a text in both languages saying that who makes or uses fake banknotes will be punished. Moreover it has four 20's in the corners and floral and fruit decoration. This banknote has the Skanderbeg's portrait in the right and in the left has the portrait of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 18.8 cm x 10.5 cm.

10 lekë (dhjetë lekë/dieci lek)

This banknotes worth 10 lekë was first circulated in 1941. On the main side center it can be seen a gap for the digital watermark and the Albanian coat of arms' eagle. In the left appears a 10, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Albanian (Banka Kombëtare e Shqipnis) and in the right, another 10, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca Nazionale D'Albania).  
The rest of the banknote has eight 10's in the upper and lower part and decorative elements. In the back part of the banknote it can be seen in the right Albania's coat of arms during the Italian occupation and in the right, Italia turrita (alegoric godness of Italy). Moreover it has the written value of the banknote in the upper part and in the lower, a text in both languages saying that who makes or uses fake banknotes will be punished, plus a 10 and fruit decoation. This banknote has the portrait of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 9.8 cm x 6.1 cm.

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Italy (1990-2002)

This serie of banknotes belongs the last one before Italy start using euro, period in which Mani pulite judicial investigation made traditional parties like partidos tradicionales como Cristian Democracy and PSI and in 1994 elections, Silvio Berlusconi (mass media Mediaset's owner) won the elections but in December of that same year, Lega Nord stopped supporting him and was substituted by a technical government leaded by Lamberto Dini. In 1996 elections, a center-left coalition leaded by  Romano Prodi won the elections and forming a governmenet which lasted till 1998, when Massimo D'Alema replaced him till his resignation in 2000 after some bad electoral results, replaced by Giuliano Amato. In 2001 the center-right made a government leaded again by Berlusconi taking part in the USA coalition against Irak. There are banknotes of 1,000 lire, 2,000 lire 5,000 lire, 10,000 lire, 50,000 lire, 100,000 lire and 500,000 lire.

1,000 lire (mille lire)

This banknotes worth 1,000 lire was first circulated October the 3rd of 1990. On the main side right, you can see Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator known by the philosphy of education that bears her name and her writing on pedagogy. She is surrounded by geometric decoration and in the left, there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right). In the left appears a space for the watermark.

In the upper part of the banknote it can be seen the written value of the banknote, a 1,000 and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia). On the other side you can see "Bambini allo studio" (children studying), painting by the Italian painter Armando Spadini. It has a 1,000 in the right and a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has Montessori's face as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11.2 cm x 6.1 cm. 

5,000 lire (cinquemila lire)

This banknotes worth 5,000 lire was first circulated January the 4th of 1985. On the main side right, you can see Vicenzo Bellini, an Italian composer (one of the most importants from the 'Bel Canto' period) from the beginning of the 19th century. He is surrounded by geometric decoration, the threater Massimo-Bellini in Catania and in the left, there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right). In the left appears a space for the watermark.
In the upper part of the banknote it can be seen the written value of the banknote, a 5,000 and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia). On the other side you can see the representation of Norma in Bellini's monument in Catania. It has a 5,000 in the right and a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has Bellini's face as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 12.6 cm x 7 cm.

10,000 lire (diecimila lire)

This banknotes worth 10,000 lire was first circulated September the 3rd of 198s. On the main side right, you can see Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist who created the first battery (in whose name has the Electromotive force unit in the SI, the volt (V)). He is surrounded by geometric decoration, the first battery created by Volta and in the left, there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right). In the left appears a space for the watermark.
In the upper part of the banknote it can be seen the written value of the banknote, a 10,000 and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia). On the other side you can see Volta Temple, a museum and mausoleum, made in Neoclassic style, in Como (where he was born). It has a 10,000 in the right and a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has Volta's face as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 13.3 cm x 7 cm.

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Italy (1944-1945)

This serie of banknotes belongs to Civil War in the end of WWII. There are banknotes of 1 lira, 2 lire, 5 lire and 10 lire.

1 lira (una lira)

This banknotes worth 1 lira was first circulated November the 23rd of 1944. On the main side left, you can see a portrait of a woman wearing a laurel wreath and the text "L'Italia laureata" (graduated Italy). This wreath is used when graduated or poets in the past wore is as a greatness recognition. All this is decorated with floristic elements. In the middle is says "una lira" with typical Roman letters. In the background there an L and a 1.
On the other side you can see an oval with a text that says that coining and spreading fake banknotes is punished by law. It has two 1's too, one in each side of the image. There are decorative borders with geometric motif. This banknote has curved lines as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 7.7 cm x 4.3 cm. 

5 lire (cinque lire)

This banknotes worth 5 lire was first circulated November the 23rd of 1944. On the main side left, you can see a Roman soldier (luogotenente) wearing the typical Roman helmet, galea. In the right part of the banknote there is a 5 decorated with floristic and still life motiv. In the center can be seen the written value of the banknote with Roman letters and the name of the country in Italian (Italia). The rest of the banknote is fulled with decorative elements and has four 5's.
On the other side you can see in the middle another frame containing 5 lire and in the upper and lower part, gaps. In the lower one there is a texts that says that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law and the rest of the banknote is fulled with floristicdecorative elements. This banknote has arms as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 9.4 cm x 5.7 cm.

10 lire (dieci lire)

This banknotes worth 10 lire was first circulated November the 23rd of 1944. On the main side left, you can see the Roman God Jupiter (in Greece, Zeus), god of the sky, thunder and king of gods. This Zeus image wears a laurel wreath too, being named Zeus Eleuthérios, symbol of the freedom. In his right appears a 10 and in the middle, a gap left for the digital watermark. The banknote is completed with decorative elements.
On the other side you can see two naked men, representing agricultural work, one holding a sickle and the other, a hammer. It has two 10's, the gap for the digital watermark and the written value of the banknote. There are decorative borders with geometric motif and a text saying that coining and spreading fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has a flower representing a tulip as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 9.2 cm x 5.6 cm.

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Italy (1963-1974)

This serie of banknotes belongs the period in which Italy got a huge economic development and Cristian Democracy had a huge power (except in the red regions: Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria and Marche) and the first mafia war took place (which led to the Lead Years later), with a huge confrontation between left and right politican parties. There are banknotes of 1,000 lire, 5,000 lire, 10,000 lire, 50,000 lire and 100,000 lire.

1,000 lire (mille lire)

This banknotes worth 1,000 lire was first circulated November the 23rd of 1962. On the main side right, you can see Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian opera composer from the 19th century who belonged to the Romanticism and wrote famous operas like Il trovatore or La traviata. In the middle there's a 1,000 and a stap, with the written value and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia) the left appears a space for the watermark and another 1,000.

On the other side of the banknote there are two 1,000's, a oval with a text saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. Moreover the text is fulled with geometric decorative elements. This banknote has two laurate heads as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 12.7 cm x 6.2 cm.

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Italy (1983-1990)

This serie of banknotes belongs the period in which Cristian Democracy's hegemony was finished, with a liberal government by Giovanni Spadolini and another by the socialist Bettino Craxi in 1983. During Craxi's government the economy improved, reaching the 5th place in industrial economies in the Group of Seven, although Italy's debt grew fastly. There are banknotes of 500 lire, 1,000 lire, 2,000 lire, 5,000 lire, 10,000 lire, 50,000 lire and 100,000 lire.

500 lire (cinquecento lire)

This banknotes worth 500 lire was first circulated February the 14th of 1974. On the main side right, you can see Roman god Mercury (Hermes for Greeks), messenger of gods, god of trade, thieves and travelers. There's also a 500, the written value of the banknote and the official name of Italy in Italian (Repubblica Italiana). In the lower part of the banknote there are gear assamblies and in the upper left, a gap for the watermark. The rest of the banknote is fulled with decorative elements.

On the other side you can see in the left Zeus on a geared Trojan Horse (Bellerophon riding Pegasus). The rest of the banknote is fulled with a big 500, whose last 0 is used to contain the watermark. This banknote has Italy's emblem (made of a star over a cogwheel supported by an olive and an oakdigital) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11 cm x 5.8 cm. 

1,000 lire (mille lire)

This banknotes worth 1,000 lire was first circulated January the 8th of 1982. On the main side right, you can see Marco Polo, a 12th century Venetian merchant, explorer and writer, who showed Europeans the wealth and great size of China and other Asian countries. He is surrounded by a Chinese decoration and, in the center, there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right).
There's also a 1,000, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia). In the left appears a space for the watermark and the rest of the banknote is fulled with decorative elements. On the other side you can see Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), palace built in Venetian Gothicstyle and one of the main attractions of Venice. It has a 1,000 in the center and a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has Marco Polo's face as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 12.2 cm x 6.1 cm. 

5,000 lire (cinquemila lire)

This banknotes worth 5,000 lire was first circulated January the 8th of 1982.On the main side left, you can see Antonello da Messina, a  Sicilian painter from the Italian Renaissance, introductory of oil painting. In the center, there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right) and in the right, a gap for the digital watermark. It can also be seen a 5,000, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia).

On the other side it can be seen the copy of Marcus Aurelius in Campidoglio square, the fontana delle Tartarughe (turtle's fountain) in Mattei square, both in Rome. It has a 5,000 in the center and a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has Antonello da Messina's face as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 12.6 cm x 6.1 cm. 

10,000 lire (diecimila lire)

This banknotes worth 10,000 lire was first circulated January the 8th of 1982.On the main side left, you can see the painting Portrait of a Man by Andrea del Castagno, a Tuscan painter from the Italian Renaissance, author of frescoes in Florence and influence of the Ferrarese school. In the center, there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right) and in the right, a gap for the digital watermark. 

It can also be seen a 5,000, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia). On the other side it can be seen Gesù Nuovo's façade (made in Barroque style) and the spire of the Immaculate Virgin, both in Gesù Nuovo square in Naples. It has a 10,000 in the center and a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has Andrea del Castagno's painting Portrait of a Man as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 13.3 cm x 7 cm. 

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Italy (1974-1983)

This serie of banknotes belongs the Years of Lead, a period characterised by economic crisis, social conflicts and terrorist massacres due to extreme political positions (caused by the Cold War). The period ended up in the murder of Aldo Moro (a democristian politician) in 1978, when was about signing the compromesso storico with the Communist Party (PCI, the largest in Western Europe) and Bologna massacre in 1980. There are banknotes of 500 lire, 1,000 lire, 2,000 lire 5,000 lire, 10,000 lire, 50,000 lire and 100,000 lire.

500 lire (cinquecento lire)

This banknotes worth 500 lire was first circulated in 1966. On the main side right, you can see the head of the nymph Aretusa, who fled from her home in Arcadia beneath the sea and came up as a fresh water fountain on the island of Ortygia in Sicily. In the left it can be seen an eagle, with its wings spread, attacking a coiled serpent held in its talons and, in the lower part, dolphins jumping in and out of the waves.
In the middle there is a 500, the written value of the banknote and in the upper part, the official name of the country in Italian (Repubblica italiana). On the other side you can see denominational guilloche design with stylised waves motif. The rest of the banknote has three 500's. This banknote has cornucopias situated vertically on the left and right margins as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11 cm x 5.5 cm. 

1,000 lire (mille lire)

This banknotes worth 1,000 lire was first circulated February the 19th of 1975. On the main side right, you can see Giuseppe Verdi, a 19th century Italian opera composer, who belonged to Romanticism and have some very well-known operas like Il trovatore or La traviata. In his left appears an stamp and then an harp, the famous Arpa Estense. In the left part of the banknote there's a gap for the watermark.
On the other side you can see Teatro alla Scala, one of the most important opera houses in the
world, located in Milan. It has a 1,000 in the left upper corner, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia). It has a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has women faces as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 12.6 cm x 6.3 cm. 

2,000 lira (duemila lira)

This banknotes worth 2,000 lira was first circulated October the 12th of 1982. On the main side center, you can see Galileo Galilei, Italian polymath who was the central figure in the transition to modern science. In his appears Piazza dei Miracoli, in Pisa (where he was born) with the Leaning Tower, Duomo and Baptistry. Downside there's Italian naval ensign, containing Venice (lion), Genova (center), Amalfi (left) and Pisa (right).
On the other side you can see in the left signs of Zodiac location at night. In the right there's an astronomic observatory and down, a telescope (who is said to be invented by him). It has a 2,000 in the left lower corner, the written value of the banknote and the name of the National Bank in Italian (Banca D'Italia), with a text too, saying that making fake banknotes is punished by law. This banknote has a man face as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 13.2 cm x 6.4 cm.

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Italy (1950-1963)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the years after WWII, when Italy was governed by a conservative party and became founding member of EEC (European Economic Community). There are banknotes of 50 lire, 100 lire and 1,000 lire.

100 lire (cento lire)

This banknotes worth 100 lire was first circulated December the 31st of 1951. On the main side left, you can see a Roman soldier wearing the typical Roman helmet, galea. In the right part of the banknote there is a frame decorated with floristic and still life motiv (it contains a 100 as watermark). In the center can be seen the written value of the banknote and the name of theofficial name of the country in Italian (Repubblica Italiana). The rest of the banknote is fulled with decorative elements.
On the other side you can see in the middle another frame containing 100 lire and in the right and left, gaps. In the right there is a texts that says that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law and the rest of the banknote is fulled with decorative elements, pretending being a threater stage. This banknote has some lines simulating being waves in the left and right part of the banknote as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11 cm x 5.8 cm.

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