Bulgaria 1941 lev
This specimen was lot 71616 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[1] noted, "BULGARIA. Lev, 1941. Berlin Mint. Boris III. PCGS AU-58. An interesting Iron metal strike, likely due to copper shortages at the early stages of World War II. Often with many issues, this wholesome example sits on the cusp of Mint State." This was the first issue of this denomination since 1941. Low grade specimens are common but choice examples are few. In 1944, the king surrendered to the Allies in hopes of avoiding a communist takeover and Russian occupation. In this they failed and the monarchy was abolished in 1946.
Recorded mintage: 10,000,000.
Specification: 3 g, 20 mm diameter, "iron" per the SCWC but more likely steel.
Catalog reference: KM-37a.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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