Romania 1944 20 lei
This specimen was lot 3748 in Sincona sale 43 (Zürich, October 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"RUMÄNIEN, Mihai I. 1940-1947 20 Lei 1944. Auf die Wiedereingliederung Siebenbürgens. Gutes vorzüglich. (kingdom of Romania, Michael I, 1940-47, twenty lei of 1944, on the loss of Transylvania. Good extremely fine.)"
This commemorative notes the loss of Transylvania, which Hitler forced Romania to cede to Hungary. The region was restored to Romania after the war as compensation for the loss of Bessarabia to Russia. This type is not listed in the SCWC, likely considered a medal. It is priced in Friedberg as a bullion coin. If it was actually made in 1944 it is one of the last gold coins made in Romania, struck as the Red Army closed in on Nazi units.
Recorded Mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, this specimen 6.55 g.
Catalog reference: Schäffer/Stambuliu 129. Schl. 23. Fr-21.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona sale 43, Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2017
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