Gold Coins of Albania
Brief Historical Notes on Albania
According to the CIA Website:
Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.
We think with a capital called Tirana, its is not surprising that the previous regimes were tyrannical.
Albanian Gold Coins
Albania's first gold coins were issued in 1926, under President Ahmed Zogu, who in 1928 went on to proclaim himself King Zog I in 1928. These are denominated in franga ari (singular = frang ar). We guess the word frang is related linguistically to franc, and it is possible that the word ar relates to argent, argentum, or Ar, meaning silver.
After the occupation by Italy in 1939, they were nominated in Lek (plural leki). There are 5 lek = 1 frang.
According to Krause, 100 quindar leku = 1 lek, and 100 quindar ara = 1 frang ari. It would appear that the word quindar means hundredth or cent, to which it appear also be phonetically related. The plural of quindar is quindarka.
The above information is in accordance with, and limited by, our extremely vague knowledge of the Albanian language.
Specifications
Technical specifications of the most frequently encountered Albanian gold coins.
Denomination | Diameter | Weight | Alloy | AGW
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10 Franga Ari | 18.5 | 3.2258 | 0.9000 | 0.0933
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20 Franga Ari | 20 | 6.4516 | 0.9000 | 0.1867
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50 Franga Ari | 27 | 16.1290 | 0.9000 | 0.4667
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100 Franga Ari | 34.5 | 32.2580 | 0.9000 | 0.9335
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Key
Diameter = Approximate Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Weight in grams.
Alloy = Fineness of gold.
AGW = Actual fine gold weight in troy ounces.
Prices & Availability
Please contact us prior to ordering for current prices and availability.
Date | Denomination | Description | Mintage | Grade | Availability | Price £ | Price $
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1927 | 100 Franga Ari | Amet Zogu - Chariot | 6,614 | VF |
No | £1,275 | $2,045
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Postage & Packing
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order
Albanian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Albania, please look at our original Chard Coins website.
Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Albanian gold coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.
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Obverse of 1927 Albanian 100 Franga Ari
Countries Index
Reverse of 1927 Albanian 100 Franga Ari
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