In the first days of 2026, social networks were in uproar – there are banknotes in circulation (in particular, with the nominal value of 100 lei), whose issue date is 2015, but with the facsimile signature of the current governor of the National Bank, Anca Dragu. And she was appointed to this position only at the end of 2023.
Are these banknotes counterfeit? Or is the National Bank flooding the market with “wrappers” that have no real value, preying on the public’s inattention?
Such questions in social networks are accompanied by appropriate comments: “Horror!”, “What’s going on?”.
Fortunately, nothing extraordinary is happening, and there are no counterfeit bills on the market. Although there are indeed banknotes issued in 2015, but signed by the current governor Anca Dragu.
Moreover, we easily found among the ten 100-lei bills, all issued in 2015, the signatures of three NBM governors. There is nothing unusual in this practice. The banknotes were printed in 2015, but are put into circulation gradually. With the appropriate signature of the NBM governor at the time they are put into circulation. This is a common practice.
To remove all doubts whether the banknote complies with the legal requirements, it is enough to visit the NBM website and in the “National Currency” section find the respective banknote with the description of all attributes and security measures.
