2000 - 2003 (2000 - 2004) Polymer Issues
All notes bear a 4-digit year above the denomination numerals at lower left front (except on the 1,000,000-leu note, which is dated 2003 to the right of lei un milion in OVI at lower center). This is the initial design date which never changes. However, the first two digits of the serial numbers of all Romanian polymer banknotes correspond to the last two digits of the year of printing (except for the 2,000-leu note, all of which were printed in 1999 despite the fact that their serial numbers begin 00).
Immediately following the two-digit date code is a single digit and a letter. This alphanumeric “prefix” is actually the plate position.
2005 - 2008 (2005 - 2017) Polymer Issues
On 1 July 2005 (appears vertically at right front of all notes), Romania revalued its currency at a rate of 1 “new” leu to 10,000 “old” lei, although the name of the currency did not change on the notes, which were also reduced in size. The notes all have pearlescent stripes on back with horizontal denomination numerals repeated in a vertical pattern
2018 (2018 - 2023) Crowned Eagle Issues
On 8 June 2016, the Romanian parliament adopted a draft
law which restores the crown on the head of the gold eagle in the country’s coat of arms. Pursuant to the provisions of Articles 14 and 17 of Law No. 312/2004 on the Statute of the National Bank of Romania and of Law No. 146/2016 amending Law No. 102/1992 on the country’s coat of arms and seal, existing banknotes continued to circulate in parallel with new notes and coins until 31 December 2018. Beginning 1 January 2018, Banca Naţională a României began issuing revised notes like the preceding issues, but with the new coat of arms and a new date.