Пластичен проект 10 сантима, 1880 г

It is considered that they were minted in Switzerland. Unlike some Bulgarian notes, created there and distributed in Bulgaria, this was the first and only Bulgarian coin purchase in this country. Announced but not supported by other sources.

№50. Pattern coin 5 levs, 1928.¹

Obverse: Bulgaria’s coat of arms after 1880. A crowned left-facing lion rampant on a shield-shaped field. Above the shield, a small crown, above it, there is a big, tall, filigree crown with five crosses and a separate cross forming the crown crest. The shield is supported by two rampant lions (shield-supporters) turned towards the shield from the right and left heraldic sides. In addition to the shield, they hold two banners ending in spear points. The lions stand on two stylized oak twigs and grape clusters.The coat of arms placed into a concentric knurled circle. Along its outer side inscriptions, on top „БѪЛГАРИЯ“ (BULGARIA), below „* СѪЕДИНЕНИЕТО ПРАВИ СИЛАТА *“(UNITY RENDERS POWER). A knurled circle along the outer rim of the coin.

Mint: Poisy, near Paris, France.

№51. Pattern coin 5 levs, 1930.²

Obverse: At the centre of the coin core, on three lines,

the nominal value and the year of issue: ““5 ЛЕВA

1923” (5 LEVS 1930). Underneath, a horizontal punctured line and an arched inscription reading “БЪЛГАРИЯ” (BULGARIA) below.The nominal value, the year and the inscription are enclosed by a wreath of wheat ears, laurels and roses. A ribbon bow at the bottom center part of the wreath. A knurled circle along the outer rim of the coin.

Reverse: A right-facing image of the Madara Rider, in a long garment and a helmet, a segment of a quiver and arrows above his right shoulder and the rein in his right hand. Under the horse, a lion stabbed with a short spear decorated with a horse tail. The front half of a dog behind the horse. An inscription reading “КРУМЪ 814” (KRUM 814) in the upper left part. A knurled circle along the outer rim of the coin.

Edge: serrated.

Minted in: Württemberg Mint, Stuttgart, Germany.

Artistic design: Ivan Lazarov.

№52. Pattern coin 10 levs, 1930.

Obverse: At the centre of the coin core, on three lines, the nominal value and the year of issue: “10 ЛЕВА 1930” (10 LEVS 1930). Underneath, a horizontal punctured line and an arched inscription reading “БЪЛГАРИЯ” (BULGARIA) below. The nominal

value, the year and the inscription are enclosed by a wreath of wheat ears, laurels and roses. A ribbon bow at the bottom center

part of the wreath. A knurled circle along the outer rim of the coin.
Reverse: A right-facing image of the Madara Rider, in a long garment and a helmet, a segment of a quiver and arrows above his right shoulder and the rein in his right hand. Under the horse, a lion stabbed with a short spear decorated with a horse tail. The front half of a dog behind the horse. An inscription reading “КРУМЪ 814” (KRUM 814) in the upper left part. A knurled circle along the outer rim of the coin.

Edge: serrated.

Minted in: Württemberg Mint, Stuttgart, Germany.

Artistic design: Ivan Lazarov.

№53. 1 lev, 1960.³

Obverse: The nominal value “1” at the centre, an inscription “ЛЕВ” (LEV), the year of issue “1960”under it, enclosed by a wreath of laurels. The “1” is thick and placed in the centre.
Reverse: At the centre of the coin core, crossed hammer and sickle, above them a five-pointed star. An inscription „Народна република България“ (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA) along the outer rim of the coin.

Edge: serrated.

Minted in: Sofia, Bulgaria.

Engraver: Petko Mihailov.

№54. 1 lev, 1962 (Georgi Dimitrov) ⁴

Obverse: Asymmetric composition with the nominal value “1” on the left of the centre. Beneath terraced inscriptions „лев“ (LEV) and the issue year „1962“. On the right, a floral motive, representing a grape cluster with grape leaves, a sprig of roses, tobacco leaves and a wheat ear on top.

Reverse: At the centre – not very successful image of the communist leader – Georgi Dimitrov. An inscription „Народна република България“ (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA) along the outer rim of the coin, divided by two five-pointed stars.

Edge: serrated.

Minted in: Sofia, Bulgaria.

Engraver: Petko Mihailov.

№55. 1 lev, 1962 г. (asymmetric)⁵

Obverse: Asymmetric composition with the nominal value “1” on the left of the centre. Beneath terraced inscriptions „лев“ (LEV) and the issue year „1962“. On the right, a floral motive representing a grape cluster with grape leaves, a sprig of roses, tobacco leaves and a wheat ear on top.

Reverse: The image of Georgi Dimitrov is replaced by the coat of arms with the lion rampant, braided wheat ears, a cogwheel and a ribbon with an inscription “9.IX.1944” on it. The lion rampant is surrounded by wheat ears and above it there is five-pointed star. An inscription reading “НАРОДНА РЕПУБЛИКА * БЪЛГАРИЯ *” (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC * OF BULGARIA *) along the outer rim.
Edge: serrated.

Minted in: Sofia, Bulgaria.

Engraver: Petko Mihailov.

№56. 1 lev, 1966.⁶

Obverse: A three-line inscription, on top – the nominal value „1“, under it- an inscription „лев“ (LEV), and the issue year „1966“. On both sides – wheat ears. A knurled circle along the outer rim of the coin..

Reverse: The image of Georgi Dimitrov is replaced by the coat of arms with the lion rampant, braided wheat ears, a cogwheel and a ribbon with an inscription “9.IX.1944” on it. The lion rampant is surrounded by wheat ears and above it there is five-pointed star. An inscription reading “НАРОДНА РЕПУБЛИКА * БЪЛГАРИЯ *” (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC * OF BULGARIA *) along the outer rim.

Minted in: Sofia, Bulgaria.

Engraver: Petko Mihailov.

Comment: Various samples of the 1 lev nominal value coin were created during the period 1960–1966. They were the material basis for the minting and emitting of two different exchange 1 lev coins – in 1960 and in 1962. The creation of this large number of pattern coins testifies to the search for an optimum size, shape and aesthetic look of the 1 lev coin. During the 60s when the economic growth was accompanied by steady price maintenance and relatively low, but constantly increasing salary, this nominal value had biggest demand and was the most trustworthy.

№57. A set of 9 silver “private” pattern coins of Bulgarian euros.

A set of 9 silver “private” coins of Bulgarian euros, issue – 2004. They depict sports images, probably related to the Olympics in Athens the same year. Their nominal values are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 euro. The mintage metal is silver with 925/1000 hallmark, and the 1 and 2 euros are partly gilded. All the nominal values have inscriptions „muster“, „probe“, „essai“ и „prueba“ („проба“) along the outer rim. On the 1 and 2 euros „прототипна“ (prototype) is added in Bulgarian, and on the 5 euros – these inscriptions are missing. The series emitter is “World Numismatics. LTD”. The coins quality is mat-gloss and there are 200 numbered sets known.

№58. A set of 8 silver “private” pattern coins of Bulgarian euros on a sports theme.

“ The collection” of 8 copper and copper-nickel pattern coins on a sports theme, is completely identical to the silver set, regarding plot, nominal value and issue year. It consists of 3 copper, 3 brass and 2 copper-nickel coins and 1 and 2 euros, gilded. The packaging is a cardboard blister pack with a rich text in English and Bulgarian. The mintage announced is 7,000, the 5 euros pattern coin “fantasy” is missing.

№59. A set of 8 silver “private” pattern coins of Bulgarian euros on a cultural and historical theme.

The other analogue collection of 8 pattern coins also consists of 3 copper, 3 brass and 2 copper-nickel coins and 1 and 2 euros, gilded. It has analogical blister pack, same mintage of 7,000 copies and the same issue year – 2004. However, the graphic design of the separate copies is a peak of the thematic eclecticism. Various fauna representatives (a butterfly, a pigeon, a lion, a rabbit-like dear), historical monuments (the Boyan Church), mythical creatures (a gryphon), real and imaginary symbols (coats of arms, a lyre, scales) are depicted onto them. An allusion of the Bulgarian map also appears with the „1 europ“and „2 europ“.

№60. Separate “private” pattern coins

The “private” pattern coin of the 5 euro Bulgarian coin from 2004, box, is apparently part of the “sports” collection. It is sold separately in a capsule package and is completely identical to the silver collection analogue copy. The issue year is the same, 2004, the mintage and the place of minting, however, are unknown. “The pattern coin” is entirely gilded with a flat edge.

Another separate copy of an imaginary pattern coin with a 5 euro nominal value is also a subsequence of the eclectic “cultural and historical collection” of 8 coins.

The set as well as the separate “private” pattern coins are cоmmon.

Pic. 3. A magazine „Мünzen Revue“ advertisement, 12, 1984  of test and pattern coins, dedicated to the Summer and Winter Olympics, 1984 on behalf of the Bulgarian mint. According to the add the exclusive distribution rights abroad belong to “Hemus”.