Romania 1999 500 lei KM-146
The 500 Lei "Total Solar Eclipse" coin was issued to celebrate the total solar eclipse that took place on August 11th 1999. This eclipse was visible from the Romanian territory and was known as "the last eclipse of the millennium" This is the first Romanian commemorative to go into circulation since 1906. The coin was issued only in the year 1999. There were two series of "Total Solar Eclipse" coins: the circulating issue of 3.6 g, and the proofs of 3.7 g.
Specification: 25 mm diameter, 3.7 g, aluminum, lettered edge (ROMANIA three times). Obverse: ROMANIA written above a field of 7 horizontal lines, the 500 Lei denomination, year 1999, Romanian coat of arms & Moon covering the Sun. The letter O from ROMANIA is placed over a disk representing the maximum phase of the eclipse, several rays of light being visible. Reverse: The ECLIPSA TOTALA DE SOARE 11 AUGUST 1999 meaning TOTAL SUN ECLIPSE, the Moon over the Sun and two shade cones representing the beginning end the end of the eclipse. The shade cone on the left has the shape of letter E, so on the coin appears E'99, the symbol of the eclipse.
Recorded Mintage: 4,000,000 plus 3.000 proofs.
Catalog reference: KM 146.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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