The Coins of the Romanian leu have been issued since the introduction of the Romanian leu in 1867.

First leu

In 1867, copper 1, 2, 5 and 10 bani were issued, with gold 20 lei (known as poli after the French Napoleons) first minted the next year. These were followed, between 1870 and 1873, by silver 50 bani, 1 and 2 lei. Silver 5 lei were added in 1880. Uniquely, the 1867 issue used the spelling 1 banu rather than 1 ban.

In 1900, cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 20 bani coins were introduced, with holed versions following in 1905. The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces. Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 5, 10 and 20 lei in 1930. In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.

In 1941 and 1942, zinc 2, 5 and 20 lei coins were introduced, together with silver 200 and 500 lei. Nickel-clad-steel 100 lei followed in 1943, with brass 200 and 500 lei issued in 1945. In 1946 and 1947, a new coinage was issued consisting of aluminium 500 lei, brass 2000 and 10,000 lei, and silver 25,000 and 100,000 lei.

King Carol I

First Leu Coins – 1867 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 banu	15 mm		copper		Value, wreath, year of minting	coat of arms	1867
	2 bani	20 mm
	5 bani	25 mm
	10 bani	30 mm

First Leu Coins – 1872-1873 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	50 bani	18 mm	2.5 g			Crown above date within wreath	Value above sprays	1873
	1 leu	23 mm	5 g	silver		Value, wreath, year of minting	CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, Lord of Romania")	1870		19 December 1931
	2 lei	27 mm	10 g			Value, wreath, ROMANIA	coat of arms, year of minting	1872

First Leu Coins – 1880 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	2 bani	20 mm		copper		Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms	CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, Lord of Romania")	1880

First Leu Coins – 1884 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	5 bani	25 mm		copper		Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms	CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania")	1882
	2 bani	25 mm		copper		Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms	CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania")	1882

First Leu Coins – 1900 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 ban	15 mm	1 g	copper 95%, tin 4%, zinc 1%	Smooth	Value, year of minting, ROMANIA, coat of arms	CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania")	1900
	2 bani	20 mm	2 g
	5 bani	19 mm	3.5 g	copper 75%, nickel 25%		ROMANIA, value	Steel crown, wreath, year of minting	1900
	10 bani	22 mm	4.5 g
	20 bani	25 mm	7 g
	50 bani	25 mm	2.5 g	silver 83.5%	Milled	Value, year of minting	CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI ("Carol I, King of Romania")	1884		19 December 1931
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

First Leu Coins – 1905 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	5 bani	19 mm	2.5 g	Copper 75%, Nickel 25%	Smooth	Value, year of minting, two roses	Royal Crown, state title on a ribbon	1905
	10 bani	22 mm	4 g
	20 bani	25 mm	7 g
	1 leu	23 mm	5 g	Silver 83.5%, Copper 16.5%	Milled	Value, "CAROL I DOMNUL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I Prince of Romania"), the effigy of Prince Carol I	"1866 - 1906", "CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I King of Romania"), the effigy of the King	1881		19 December 1931
	5 lei	38 mm	25 g	Silver 90%, Copper 10%				1880
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

First Leu Coins – 1910 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	50 bani	18 mm	2.5 g	Silver 83.5%, Copper 16.5%	Milled	State title, value, year of minting, olive branch, Royal Crown	"CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" ("Carol I King of Romania"), the effigy of the King	1910		19 December 1931
	1 leu	23 mm	5 g			State title, value, year of minting, peasant woman
	2 lei	27 mm	10 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Ferdinand I

The production of coins ceased in 1914, recommencing in 1921 with aluminium 25 and 50 bani pieces.

First Leu Coins – 1921 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	25 bani	19 mm	0.896 g	Aluminium	Smooth	Value, Royal Crown	Eagle, state title, year of minting	1921
	50 bani	21 mm	1.203 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Cupro-nickel 1 and 2 lei coins were introduced in 1924, followed by nickel brass 10, 20 and 50 lei in 1930.

First Leu Coins – 1924 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 leu	21 mm	3.5 g	Copper 75%, Nickel 25%	Milled	"BUN PENTRU 'VALUE'" ("Good for 'value'"), wheat wreath	State title, Middle coat of arms, ***, year of minting, ***	1924	1 June 1940	31 March 1941 (unofficial, BNR accepted the change until mid-1942)
	2 lei	25 mm	7 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Michael I (first reign)

First Leu Coins – 1930 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	5 lei	21 mm	3.5 g	Copper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1%	Milled	Value Lesser coat of arms, six five-pointed stars	"MIHAI I REGELE ROMANIEI" ("Michael I King of Romania"), effigy of the King, year of minting	1930	1 January 1938	April 1943
	20 lei	27 mm	7.5 g			Value, group of dancing peasant women			19 December 1931	1 April 1933
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Carol II

First Leu Coins – 1930 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	10 lei	23 mm	5 g	Copper 79%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 1%	Milled	Value, the eagle from the coat of arms wearing on the shield the Royal Cypher of King Carol II, effigy of the King, year of minting	"CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), year of minting	1930
	20 lei	27 mm	7.5 g
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

In 1932, silver 100 lei coins were issued. However, inflation meant that, in 1935, smaller silver 250 lei coins were introduced with nickel 100 lei coins being issued in 1936, followed by nickel 50 lei in 1937.

First Leu Coins – 1936 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	50 lei	24 mm	5.83 g	Nickel 97.5%	Milled	Value, the small shield from the coat of arms timbered by the Steel Crown, laurel and oak leaves, year of minting	"CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), portrait of the King wearing a parade military helmet	September 1937	12 October 1941	31 December 1941
	100 lei	27 mm	8.2 g				"CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), effigy of the King	December 1936	12 October 1941	31 December 1941
	250 lei	30 mm	12 g	Silver 83,5%, Copper 16,5%	+ MUNCA + CREDINTA + REGE + NATIUNE		"CAROL II REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Carol II King of Romania"), effigy of the King	1939	31 July 1941	31 August 1941
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

First Leu Coins – 1941-1942 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 leu	18 mm	2.75 g	nickel-brass	smooth	maize, denomination	royal crown, ROMANIA, year of minting	1 June 1940 (all the coins marked as 1938, 1939 and 1940 were released in 1940)
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

King Michael I (second reign)

First Leu Coins – 1941-1942 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	2 lei	20 mm	3.2 g	zinc	smooth	wreath, denomination	"REGATUL ROMANIEI" ("Kingdom of Romania"), crown, year of minting	1941
	5 lei	23 mm	4.5 g			oat sprigs, denomination		1942
	20 lei	26 mm	6.0 g		reeded	wreath, denomination		1942-1944
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

First Leu Coins – 1942 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	100 lei	28 mm	8.2 g	nickel clad steel		wreath, crown on top, denomination in the middle	"MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of Romania"), effigy of the King	1943-1944
	200 lei	27 mm	7.5 g	brass				1945
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

First Leu Coins – 1942 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	200 lei	24 mm	6 g	silver 0.835	NIHIL + SINE + DEO		"MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of Romania"), effigy of the King	1942
	250 lei	30 mm	12 g	silver 0.835				10 March 1941
	500 lei	37 mm	12 g	silver 0.835	PRIN STATORNICIE LA IZBANDA +	Kneeling Stephan the Great holding Putna Monastery; MOLDOVA LUI STEFAN IN VECI A ROMANIEI ("Stephen's Moldavia forever to belong to Romania")		1941
	500 lei	32 mm	12 g	silver 0.700				June 1944	28 August 1945	15 September 1945
	500 lei	30 mm	10 g	brass				1945
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

First Leu Coins – 1946-47 Series[1]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	500 lei	24 mm	1.5 g	aluminium			"MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR" ("Michael I of Romania King of Romania"), effigy of the King	1946	15 August 1947	15 August 1947
	2000 lei	24 mm	5.1 g	brass				1946
	10,000 lei	27 mm	10 g	brass				1947
	25,000 lei	32 mm	12.5 g	silver 0.700				1946
	100,000 lei	37 mm	25 g	silver 0.700				1946
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Second leu

In 1947, coins were issued before the abdication of King Michael I, in denominations of 50 bani, 1, 2 and 5 lei.

King Michael I

Second Leu Coins – 1947 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	50 bani	16 mm	1.7 g	nickel-brass		value	"ROMANIA", crown, year of minting	15 August 1947	1948	1952
	1 leu	18 mm	2.5 g	brass		value, ears of wheat on the sides	"ROMANIA", royal coat of arms, olive branches, year of minting
	2 lei	21 mm	3.5 g	bronze
	5 lei	23 mm	1.5 g	aluminium		value, ears of wheat	portrait of King Michael, "MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR", year of minting
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

People's Republic of Romania

After the creation of the People's Republic, new coins were issued between 1948 and 1952, in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 20 lei.

Second Leu Coins – 1947 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 leu	16 mm	1.83 g	nickel-brass		value, year of minting	oil well, rising sun	1948	30 January 1952	1 February 1952
			0.61 g	aluminium
	2 lei	18 mm	2.44 g	nickel-brass			corn cob
			0.84 g	aluminium
	5 lei	23 mm	3.5 g	bronze		olive wreath, value, year of minting	coat of arms, "REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA"
	20 lei	26 mm	1.5 g	aluminium		Blacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background, value	coat of arms, "REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA", year of minting
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Third leu

People's Republic of Romania

In 1952, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 bani, with the 1, 3 and 5 struck in aluminium bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. In 1955, cupro-nickel 50 bani were added.

Third Leu Coins – 1952 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 ban	16mm	1.0g	aluminium bronze	Smooth	Value, year of minting	Coat of arms	28 January 1952	1 January 1997	16 January 1997
	3 bani	18mm	2.0g
	5 bani	20mm	2.4g
	10 bani	17mm	1.8g	cupro-nickel		olive wreath, year of minting, value	Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic) or Republica Populară Romînă
	25 bani	22mm	3.6g
	50 bani	25mm	4.55g			Blacksmith at work using a hammer and an anvil, factory in the background, value	Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic), year of minting	1955
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

In 1960, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of 15 and 25 bani, with 5 bani, 1 and 3 lei coins added in 1963. All were struck in nickel-clad steel. In 1975, aluminium replaced steel in the 5 and 15 bani, with the same change happening for the 25 bani in 1982. Aluminium 5 lei were introduced in 1978.

Third Leu Coins – 1960 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	5 bani			Nickel-plated steel	Smooth	Value, year of minting	Coat of arms, Republica Populară Română (Romanian People's Republic), year of first minting	1960	1 January 1997	16 January 1997
	15 bani					Value, olive leaves
	25 bani					Value, agricultural scene, wheat
	1 leu					Value, agricultural landscape; industrial elements in the background		1963
	3 lei					Value, industrial landscape
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Socialist Republic of Romania

Third Leu Coins – 1966 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	5 bani	16mm	1.7g	Nickel-plated steel	Smooth	Value, year of minting	Coat of arms	1 November 1966	1 January 1997	16 January 1997
			0.5g	Aluminium				1975
	15 bani	19.5mm	2.88g	Nickel-plated steel		Value, olive leaves	Coat of arms, Republica Socialistă România ("Socialist Republic of Romania"), year of first minting	1 November 1966
			1.0g	Aluminium				1975
	25 bani	22mm	3.38g	Nickel-plated steel		Value, agricultural scene, wheat		1 November 1966
			1.3g	Aluminium				1982
	1 leu	24.6mm	5.0g	Nickel-plated steel		Value, agricultural landscape; industrial elements in the background		1 November 1966
	3 lei	27mm	5.86g	Nickel-plated steel	"~*~*"	Value, industrial landscape		1 November 1966
	5 lei	29mm	2.8g	Aluminium		Value, industrial scene		1978
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Post-Communist Romania

Following the end of the communist regime, a new coinage was introduced between 1990 and 1992, consisting of 1 leu in bronze clad steel, 5 and 10 lei in nickel-plated steel, 20 and 50 lei in brass clad steel and nickel-plated steel 100 lei.

Third Leu Coins – 1990 Series
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
	1 leu	19 mm	2.50 g	Copper-plated steel	Smooth	Value, oak leaves, wheat	Insignia of the National Bank, state title, year of minting, oak leaves	1992	1 July 2005	Indefinite
						Value, state title, wheat	Coat of arms, year of minting	1993	1 January 2007	Indefinite
	5 lei	21 mm	3.35 g	Nickel-plated steel	Smooth	State Title, value, oak leaves	Coat of arms, year of minting	1992	1 July 2003	1 July 2004
	10 lei	23 mm	4.65 g		"~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦"	Value, year of minting, olive leaves	Flag, state title, "22 DECEMBRIE 1989"	26 December 1990
			5 g		Smooth	State title, value, olive leaves	Coat of arms, year of minting	1992
	20 lei	24 mm	5 g	Brass-plated steel	Smooth	Value, oak leaves, year of minting	Ștefan cel Mare, state title, "ȘTEFAN CEL MARE"	9 September 1991	1 July 2003	1 July 2004
	50 lei	26 mm	5.9 g			Value, olive leaves, year of minting	Alexandru Ioan Cuza, state title, "ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA"	9 September 1991
	100 lei	29 mm	8.75 g	Nickel-plated steel	"ROMANIA *** ROMANIA *** ROMANIA ***"	Value, oak leaves, olive leaves, year of minting	Mihai Viteazul, state title, "MIHAI VITEAZUL"	1 December 1991	1 January 2007	Indefinite
	500 lei	24 mm	3.75 g	Magnesium - Aluminium alloy (AlMg3)	"ROMANIA ♦ ROMANIA ♦ ROMANIA ♦"	State title, value, olive leaves	Coat of arms, year of minting, olive leaves	15 March 1999
						State title, value, Coat of arms, year of minting, a moon eclipsing the Sun	"ECLIPSA TOTALĂ DE SOARE 11 AUGUST 1999", allegoric representation of the eclipse, "'99"	11 August 1999
	1,000 lei	22 mm	2 g		Alternately smooth and milled	State title, value, year of minting, Coat of arms	Constantin Brâncoveanu, years of rule, "CONSTANTIN BRANCOVEANU"	2000
	5,000 lei	24 mm dodecagonal	2.50 g		Twelve smooth edges	State title, value	Coat of arms, year of minting, ornamental leaves	2001
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

As inflation took its toll, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lei coins were introduced in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, and were the only coins circulating when the revaluation occurred. They were all criticized for being clumsy and difficult to use. The 500 lei coins were very thick (about 0.3 cm). Despite their small value, it took only a handful of such coins to fill one's pocket. They were also made of poor material and could be occasionally found with bite marks. The 1000 lei coin was considered too small and was also cheaply made, and the 5000 lei coin was not circular (it was a dodecagon). This made it awkward to handle and difficult to use in slot machines, where it was frequently the only coin accepted. The 500, 1,000 and 5,000 lei coins became worth 5, 10 and 50 bani with the revaluation.

Fourth leu

In 2005, the following coins were introduced for circulation:

New Leu Coins (2005 series)
Image	Value	Technical parameters				Description			Date of
		Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	issue
	1 b	16.75 mm	1.6 mm	2.4 g	Brass-plated steel	Smooth	Coat of arms, state title, year of minting	Value	2005	1 July 2005
	5 b	18.25 mm	1.6 mm	2.8 g	Copper-plated steel	Milled (102 reeds)	Coat of arms, state title, year of minting	Value	2005	1 July 2005
	10 b	20.50 mm	1.8 mm	4.0 g	Nickel-plated steel	Alternately smooth and milled (3 groups of 20 reeds)	Coat of arms, state title, year of minting	Value	2005	1 July 2005
	50 b	23.75 mm	1.9 mm	6.1 g	Brass 80% copper 15% zinc 5% nickel	"ROMANIA * ROMANIA *"	Coat of arms, state title, year of minting	Value	2005	1 July 2005
							Aurel Vlaicu, 1910 (year of first Romanian flight), years of birth and death of Aurel Vlaicu	Value, Coat of arms, state title, year of minting	2010	25 October 2010
							Value, Coat of arms, state title, year of minting, Cozia Monastery	Mircea cel Bătrân, 1386-1418 (years of reign)	2011	12 September 2011
							Value, "ROMANIA", year of issue "2012", Curtea de Argeș monastery church in section, Coat of arms	Portrait of Neagoe Basarab, Curtea de Argeș church, "1512", "BISERICA MANASTIRII CURTEA DE ARGES" "NEAGOE BASARAB"	2012	25 June 2012
							Value, "ROMANIA", year of issue "2014", a composition representing St. Nicholas Princely Church in Curtea de Argeș	Portrait of Prince Vladislav I Vlaicu, the obverse and the reverse of a ducat that he issued, the inscriptions “VLADISLAV I VLAICU” and “1364” (the year of his ascent to the throne of Wallachia)	2014	28 April 2014
							Value, "ROMANIA", year of issue "2015", Coat of arms, in the background a continuous five row inscription of the text: "BNR50"	The Old Palace of the Romanian National Bank, the inscriptions "10 ANI", "DENOMINAREA MONEDEI NATIONALE" and "2005" the year of the denomination.	2015	1 July 2015
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.