Bulgaria 1989 25 leva KM-189

Aureo y Calicó sale 422, lot 3200

This specimen was lot 3200 in Aureo y Calicó sale 422 (Barcelona, December 2023), where it sold for 20 € (about US$26 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "Bulgaria. 1989. 25 leva. Juegos Olímpicos - Barcelona '92. Remo. AG. Proof." Altho the communist dictatorship collapsed in 1989-90, it did not happen all at once and it's difficult to say when the people's republic was terminated. The communists were forced to give up their monopoly of power in November 1989 and allow free elections in June 1990 (which they won). A new constitution was adopted in July 1991. New coinage did not appear until 1992. This NCLT is one of several issued for the 1992 Olympics.

Recorded mintage: 57,560.

Specification: 23.38 g, 0.925 fine silver, this specimen 23,31 g.

Catalog reference: KM 189.

Sources:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Sisó, Teresa, Eduard Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta 422: Subasta Numismatica, Barcelona: Aureo y Calicó, 2023.

Link to:

• 1989 20 leva, 120th anniversary of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
• 1989 25 leva, Brown Bear and Cubs
• 1990 25 leva, Albertville Olympic Games, cross country skiing
• 1990 25 leva, Barcelona Olympic Games, running
• 1992 50 leva, Downhill Skiing
• Coins and currency dated 1989