Albanian Coins

Obverse of 1927 Albanian 100 Franga Ari

Countries

Reverse of 1927 Albanian 100 Franga Ari

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.

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
10 Franga Ari	18.5	3.2258	0.9000	0.0933
20 Franga Ari	20	6.4516	0.9000	0.1867
50 Franga Ari	27	16.1290	0.9000	0.4667
100 Franga Ari	34.5	32.2580	0.9000	0.9335

Notes to Table
Denomination = Face Value.
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Weight in grams.
Alloy = Fineness of gold content.
ASW = Gold Content = Fine gold content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability
The prices quoted in the US $ column may be out of date due to currency fluctuations.

Date	Denomination	Description	Mintage	Grade	Availability	Price £	Price $
1827	100 Franga Ari	Amet Zogu - Chariot	6,614	Uncirculated	Sold	Ask	Ask

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £2.50 or
Fully Insured £6 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

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Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, including Albanian coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.