Bulgaria 2003 5 leva
This specimen was lot 73274 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2022), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[1] noted, "BULGARIA. 5 Leva, 2003. Sofia Mint. PCGS PROOF-69 Deep Cameo. Commemorating the 2006 World Cup. This love[l]y example is boldly struck and charming with the impressive design elements that are lacquered in much frosting. Perfect for anyone celebrating Italy's victory in the 2006 World Cup™." The Communist regime, beset by corruption and an aging leadership, was swept away with the collapse of all the Eastern Bloc regimes in 1989-90. Perhaps as a reaction to humorless Stalinist design featuring smokestacks and tractors, a burst of NCLT's appeared, some rather frivolous, including one celebrating the arrival of the Millennium (KM 244). This NCLT was struck after the fall of communism and after the currency was reformed (1000 old leva = 1 new lev).
Recorded mintage: 50,000 proofs.
Specification: 28.28 g, 0.925 fine silver, 38.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-268.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The February 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins, Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Link to:
- 2000 10 leva, the new Millennium
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- 2000 10 leva, Church of the Pantokrator
- 2000 10 leva, association with the European Union
- 2002 lev, bimetallic
- 2002 lev, struck in gold
- 2003 10 leva, 60th Anniversary of the Rescue of the Jewish People
- 2004 10 leva, 100th Anniversary of the National Theater
- Coins and currency dated 2003