altered 1947 Romanian 100 lei

I have a banknote that appears to have had some artwork added after it was printed

 (This is the original) N#205752

Does anyone know if this was simply someone being artistic, or is there a story behind it? 

Thanks!

Most likely a anti soviet protester that is against soviet influence in Romania.

A very interesting item! Thanks for posting th epic.

Yes, it does look like an anti-Soviet protest, especially with the sickle around the person's neck, and drops of blood!

Can you tell what is the quality of the printing of the additional ink - would you say it was printed in a press, or is it drawn by hand, or stamped on by means of a hand stamp of some kind? 

Does the ink soak through to the reverse of the note?

The ink does not soak through the bill. The other side appears untouched (except for the regular wear from circulating).

The edges of the additions appear very straight. Does that mean it was not drawn with a pen? Would a pen “bleed” or does that only happen with some types of inks?

Is there a particular way to angle or light it to give you more information? This photo was taken with my somewhat antiquated cell phone, so I can take better pictures.

It was suggested that the drawing may be intended to be Stalin, but I am very poor at facial recognition, so I leave that to you. That would follow the idea of protesting Soviet involvement as you mentioned from the bleeding sickle.

The words “cine va urma: dej” translates to “who will follow: dej” according to google translate. 

“dej” might be Gheorge Gheorghiu-Dej https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheorghe_Gheorghiu-Dej who, amongst other things, made it easier for Romania to trade with western countries according to the linked  Wikipedia article. Dej is also a place in Romania. 

 Thanks!  

Your description of the ink, points to the red possibly having been printed by some means, which suggests that the defaced notes may have been produced in some quantity.

The text “cine va urma: dej” sounds to me like a reference to  Gheorge Gheorghiu-Dej.

A better picture would be good. And a close up of the text “cine va urma: dej”.

Hibernia

Your description of the ink, points to the red possibly having been printed by some means, which suggests that the defaced notes may have been produced in some quantity.

 

The text “cine va urma: dej” sounds to me like a reference to  Gheorge Gheorghiu-Dej.

 

A better picture would be good. And a close up of the text “cine va urma: dej”.

+1

-I agree that your 100 Lei note looks more mass produced than the work of some politically disgruntled individual.  This could mean a significant premium on the value too. [IMO: there are usually many collectors who seek out notes with a story (& artefacts of political unrest/dissension are usually sought) & if they're not a "one off" the premium would be higher].  

I reviewed the notes from that era & your note appears to be the 3rd version after the 1947 currency reform which adjusted the value of 1 old Lei to be equal to 20,000 (new) Lei as a result of hyperinflation.  No doubt the overprint reflects how oppressive the weak economy (purchasing power of the note) in the era it was used/overprinted.  The population who held old notes would have lost a small fortune back then. The majority of notes like these won't be in high grades since they'd be overprinted after they were circulated. It also might have been considered contraband & extreme punishment would have been met out by the regime if you were caught with one of these (thus increasing the value since it survived the era). 

Also, your note's signature corresponds with P-67 rather than P-62 based on the later N series I believe.  Very interesting!

Hi Hibernia, 

Sorry for the delay but here are some more pictures. I have been trying to load them but the system kept rejecting them. Apparently my original files were too large.

Hi Serial_Number_8, 

I added more pictures. I wish we could learn more about the bills. I would think a larger quantity of the bills would have resulted in something that would have left a better record with matching pictures for us to read about now, but I guess not everything makes it onto the internet (or I just haven't stumbled across the right post yet). 

I suppose it makes sense that something with a story behind it attracts collectors and that has a value. My first response was that someone colored all over the bill and wrecked it before I started wondering about a story.

Apparently protesting with money might be a thing in areas where protesting is firmly penalized. Handwritten messages protesting the Ukraine invasion are showing up in Russia today. 

https://www.newsweek.com/russians-anti-war-messages-cash-protest-putin-ukraine-invasion-1692658

Thanks for catching the different signatures. I moved my collection entry to the other one.

Hibernia

Your description of the ink, points to the red possibly having been printed by some means, which suggests that the defaced notes may have been produced in some quantity.

 

The text “cine va urma: dej” sounds to me like a reference to  Gheorge Gheorghiu-Dej.

 

A better picture would be good. And a close up of the text “cine va urma: dej”.

You are right about the reference to Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej.