First banknote dedicated to a Solar Eclipse: Romania's 2000 Lei banknote sets world record
December 29, 2021
BUCHAREST, Romania--In celebration of the last solar eclipse of the millennium, the National Bank of Romania
(BNR) decided to issue a commemorative two thousand Romanian lei banknote; the note was issued as legal tender and sets the world record for the World's First banknote
dedicated to a Solar Eclipse, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
The banknote was designed by Romanian artist Nicolae Săftoiu; in observance of the upcoming millennium, the obverse of the note displays a rendering of the Solar System viewed from afar, showing all of the planets revolving around the Sun.
The reverse of the note displays a map outline of Romania with the colors schemed to match the colors of the Romanian flag. The map marks the main points where the solar eclipse was visible in a path moving along the map from west to east.
In order to generate interest with currency collectors, the National Bank of Romania
(BNR) also issued special commemorative folders with the banknotes. These were limited to 1 million pieces and each one contained a special, low-numbered banknote with the series001A.
The 2000 Lei banknote marked the astronomical event - the total solar eclipse of August 11, 1999, as well as the entry into a new millennium by the issuance of the first polymer banknote in Europe.
The 2000 Lei banknote was also the first polymer banknote in Europe and the northern hemisphere.
The Romanian 2000 Lei banknote is also the only astronomical themed bank note.
Related world records:
