Bulgaria 1996 500 leva KM-223

Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale, lot 73270

This specimen was lot 73270 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2022), where it sold for $60. The catalog description^[1] noted, "BULGARIA. 500 Lev, 1996. Sofia Mint. PCGS PROOF-68 Deep Cameo. Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the National Art Academy. This handsome proof is awash with much frost and good mirroring in the fields." This NCLT was struck after the fall of communism but before the currency was reformed (1000 old leva = 1 new lev). Other 500 leva issued during 1996 included KM 219 (Olympic soccer).

Recorded mintage: 30,000 proofs.

Specification: 10 g, 0.925 fine silver, 30 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-223.

Source:

• ^[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:

• 1995 1000 leva, 50th Anniversary of the F.A.O.
• 1995 1000 leva, Rozhen Peak Astronomical Observatory
• 1996 1000 leva, sailing ship Kaliakra
• 1996 1000 leva, St. Ivan of Rila
• 1997 1000 leva, World Cup
• 1998 5000 leva, the Euro
• Coins and currency dated 1996