Banknote Billet Romania 5 lei Georges Enesco, compositeur roumain, chef d'orchestre, 2005

The 5 Lei banknote issued by Romania on 1 July 2005 pays tribute to one of the most iconic figures of Romanian culture, George Enescu, a composer and conductor of international renown.

George Enescu, born in 1881 and deceased in 1955, is considered the most important Romanian musician in history. A prolific composer, virtuoso violinist and internationally acclaimed conductor, he left a considerable mark on the world of classical music, most notably through his Romanian Rhapsodies and his opera Oedipe. His portrait on this banknote reflects the central place he holds in Romanian cultural identity.

This 5 Lei banknote belongs to the series introduced by the National Bank of Romania as part of the 2005 monetary reform, during which Romania replaced the old leu with the new leu at a rate of 10,000 old lei to 1 new leu. This note is therefore one of the first issues of the new Romanian monetary system.

The banknote is made of polymer, a plastic material that offers increased durability compared to traditional cotton paper. This technical feature, increasingly adopted by central banks around the world, provides better resistance to wear and moisture, while facilitating the integration of sophisticated security features.

The face value of 5 Lei places this banknote among the lower denomination notes of the contemporary Romanian monetary system, intended for everyday transactions within the national economy.