The 2026 Romania 100 Lei Commemorative Banknote: A Tribute to Eugeniu Carada, Founder of the National Bank

On September 14, 2026, the National Bank of Romania (Banca Națională a României, BNR) will issue a 100 lei commemorative banknote into numismatic circulation, dedicated to celebrating the 190th anniversary of the birth of Eugeniu Carada, the figure considered the founder of the institution itself. With a limited mintage of only 16,000 copies, this banknote has quickly become one of the most anticipated releases by numismatic collectors in Eastern Europe so far this year.

If you are looking for the 2026 Romania 100 lei commemorative banknote (Eugeniu Carada) in UNC (uncirculated) condition for your collection or investment, Iberoamericana Banknotes offers verified authentic specimens, with certification and secure international shipping. This article details everything you need to know.

Eugeniu Carada: The Discreet Founder of the National Bank of Romania

Eugeniu Carada (1836-1910) is described by the BNR's own Mint as a discreet but extraordinary personality in Romania's modern history, considered the founder of the National Bank. After the institution's creation, Carada personally involved himself in organizing its printing activities, taking charge of acquiring and sending to the country the necessary equipment and materials to print the banknotes the bank would issue. His work was not limited to founding: he actively concerned himself with the territorial expansion of the institution's activities and with the development and diversification of its operations, with the main objective of promoting Romania's economic development.

The BNR had already paid homage to Carada on other occasions: in 2010, a commemorative 100 lei gold coin was issued dedicated to him, and in the past, the bank's own Mint designed and produced an anniversary banknote in his honor to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the first printing of a banknote issued by the BNR. The 2026 issue thus fits into an established commemorative tradition surrounding this historical figure.

Banknote Design: A Tribute to the Old BNR Palace

As confirmed by the National Bank of Romania itself, the commemorative banknote features the following characteristics:

Obverse (front):

• Portrait and signature of Eugeniu Carada.
• His lifespan, "1836-1910," next to the portrait.
• Predominant color blue.

Reverse (back):

• Representation of the Teller Hall (Sala Ghișeelor) of the Old BNR Palace in Bucharest, the historical headquarters of the institution.
• An eagle and a shield with the National Bank of Romania logo.
• The release date, "September 14, 2026," printed vertically at the bottom of the banknote.

The banknote maintains a face value of 100 lei and dimensions of 147 x 82 mm, identical to the 100 lei banknote currently in circulation, which facilitates its direct comparison with the country's standard denomination. Its printing combines a mixed offset and relief technique, on a polymer substrate.

Technical Specifications: Mintage, Sale Price, and Official Distribution

For the most demanding collectors, these are the verified technical data of the issue, confirmed directly by the BNR:

• Mintage: limited to 16,000 copies.
• Substrate: polymer.
• Printing technique: mixed, offset and relief.
• Official sale price: 240 lei (VAT included), which also includes the presentation booklet for the piece.
• Release date into the numismatic circuit: September 14, 2026.
• Start of public sale: September 15, 2026, through BNR regional branches in Bucharest, Cluj, Constanța, Dolj, Iași, and Timiș.
• Additional format: in addition to individual banknotes, the BNR also issues special sheets composed of 4 commemorative 100 lei banknotes each, with the same Eugeniu Carada theme.

As of the publication date of this article, the BNR has not publicly detailed the serial number prefix or prefixes assigned to this issue nor the mint responsible for its manufacture (presumably the BNR Mint itself, given its history with similar commemorative issues); we will update this article as soon as we have that confirmation.

Numismatic and Collector Value

Several factors make this piece one of the most interesting of the year for numismatic collectors in Eastern Europe:

1. Very limited and officially verified mintage — Only 16,000 copies, a significantly reduced number compared to regular issues from other countries, with data confirmed directly by the issuing bank itself.
2. Homage to a key historical figure — Carada is not just any illustrious person: he is the foundational figure of the issuing institution itself, which adds an additional layer of institutional significance to the piece.
3. Continuity of a commemorative tradition — It joins previous homages by the BNR to Carada (2010 gold coin, commemorative banknote for the 130th anniversary of the first printing), allowing collectors to build a thematic collection around this figure.
4. Special sheet format — The existence of sheets of 4 uncut banknotes adds an additional variant highly valued by collectors specializing in uncut pieces.

At Iberoamericana Banknotes, you will find specimens of the 2026 Romania 100 lei commemorative banknote (Eugeniu Carada) UNC, individually packaged, with detailed photos of the obverse, reverse, and design elements.

Why is it Important for Collectors?

The issuance of this banknote marks a relevant milestone in Eastern European numismatics:

• Officially verified mintage of only 16,000 copies, publicly confirmed by the BNR itself.
• Homage to the founder of the issuing institution, a historical figure of greater symbolic weight than a usual honoree.
• Continuity of an already established commemorative tradition surrounding Eugeniu Carada.
• Issuer with its own numismatic identity within the European Union, little covered in Spanish catalogs and media, in line with other Eastern European issues we already follow closely, such as the new 2000 hryvnia banknotes of Ukraine 2026.

Why Buy the 100 Lei Commemorative Banknote from Iberoamericana Banknotes?

• Guaranteed authenticity.
• Competitive prices and attractive packages.
• Secure and discreet international shipping.
• Specialized support for collectors.
• Constant updates on new issues from Eastern Europe.

Explore our section on Romania banknotes and acquire your copy of the 100 lei commemorative banknote dedicated to Eugeniu Carada today. Don't miss out on this limited edition piece that pays tribute to the founder of the National Bank of Romania!