Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Lekë 1989, KM# 67, Albania, 45th Anniversary of Albania's Liberation
  • 2 Lekë 1989, KM# 67, Albania, 45th Anniversary of Albania's Liberation
Description

Albania’s Liberation occurred on November 29, 1944, marking the end of Nazi German occupation and the victory of the National Liberation Movement (Lëvizja Nacionalçlirimtare - LANÇ), led by the Communist Party of Albania under Enver Hoxha (1908–1985). The resistance against Axis forces began in 1941, with Albanian partisans fighting Italian and later German occupiers. After Italy’s surrender in 1943, Germany took control, but the partisans intensified their struggle, supported by the Yugoslav Partisans and the Soviet Union. By late 1944, they had driven out the last German forces without direct Allied military intervention. The liberation paved the way for the establishment of the People’s Republic of Albania, with Hoxha leading the country into decades of communist rule.

Obverse

Depicts the Emblem of the People's Republic of Albania surrounded by the country name in Albanian, and the dates below.

The Emblem of the People's Republic of Albania featured a black double-headed eagle, a symbol rooted in Byzantine and medieval Albanian heraldry, most famously used by Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg during his 15th-century resistance against the Ottoman Empire. The eagle was surrounded by golden wheat ears, representing agriculture and unity, and topped with a red five-pointed star, the universal symbol of communism. A red ribbon at the bottom bore the date "24 Maj 1944", commemorating the Congress of Përmet, where Albanian communist leaders established a provisional government modeled after Yugoslavia’s anti-fascist council.

Shqipëri is the native Albanian name for Albania, used by Albanians to refer to their country. The term is derived from "shqipe" or "shqiponjë," meaning "eagle", symbolizing the legendary connection between Albanians and the double-headed eagle. The name Shqipëri roughly translates to "Land of the Eagles," reflecting national pride and independence.

REPUBLIKA POPULLORE SOCIALISTE E SHQIPERISE
24 MAJ 1944
1989

Reverse

Depicts a screaming Albanian soldier holding his rifle in one hand and raising the other wearing a communist uniform in front of the five-pointed Red Star, inscription in Albanian above meaning "45th Anniversary of Liberation" and value is at the right.

A red star, five-pointed and filled, is a symbol that has often historically been associated with communist ideology, particularly in combination with the hammer and sickle, but is also used as a purely socialist symbol in the 21st century. It has been widely used in flags, state emblems, monuments, ornaments, and logos.

2 LEKE
45 VJETORI I ÇLIRIMIT

Edge

2 Lekë

People's Socialist Republic

45th Anniversary of Albania's Liberation

KM# 67
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 7.6 g
Diameter 26 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

People's Socialist Republic

Cupronickel, 7.6 g, ⌀ 26 mm