2024-02-12 20:15:31
On their front side are the common symbols of the European currency, and on the national side they will reproduce the design of the Bulgarian cents
The production of 8 nominal Bulgarian euro coins up to 1 million pieces has started, and the quantities required for circulation will be cut after the EU’s decision on our admission to the eurozone
All EU member states have approved the design of the Bulgarian euro coins, the central bank announced. Thus, the BNB completes another step that the institution takes in the preparation for our country’s full membership in the Eurozone.
The design reproduces the current symbols minted on Bulgarian exchange coins (Madar horseman – on 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cent coins; St. Ivan of Ril – on 1 euro coin; and Paisiy Hilendarski – on 2 euro coin ).
Already in November 2023, the Coordination Council for the preparation of the Republic of Bulgaria for membership in the Eurozone approved the design of the Bulgarian euro coins of all denominations proposed by the Board of the BNB: 1 euro cent; 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents, 1 euro and 2 euro.
According to the rules of the United Europe, all euro coins have a common side and a national side. The common side features images of the European Union or of Europe, symbolizing its unity. Each national country, also by regulation, has mandatory and optional requisites. The mandatory elements included in the design of the national side of the Bulgarian euro coins are: depiction of a circle of 12 stars, like those on the flag of the European Union, Cyrillic writing of the word “BULGARIA” as a designation of the issuing country, for the Bulgarian €2 euro coins – an inscription, with “GOD PROTECT BULGARIA” written on one half, and the same inscription written upside down on the second half.
Selected optional elements included in the design of the national side of the Bulgarian euro coins are: Cyrillic spelling of the word “euro” on the 1 and 2 euro coins, “stotinka” on the 1 euro cent coin and “stotinka” on the 2, 5 coins , 10, 20 and 50 euro cents and writing the year of introduction of the euro in Bulgaria “2025”.
At the suggestion of the Board of Directors of the BNB, the design of the current exchange coins was reproduced on the national side of the Bulgarian euro coins. Thus, the Hungarian horseman will be on coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents, St. Ivan Rilski will adorn a 1-euro coin, and the face of Paisii Hilendarski – on a 2-euro coin. The reasons for this were that the symbols on the current Bulgarian exchange coins were established and well accepted by the citizens. This will ensure continuity from the current to the new euro coins in Bulgaria and their easy recognition, while at the same time the Bulgarian identity will be confirmed and continued through the familiar symbols of the Bulgarian coins.
The next step after the approval will be the production of 8 denominations of Euro coins with the Bulgarian national side in an amount of up to 1 million pieces for each denomination for testing the quality of the produced coins and certification of the Bulgarian Mint. The actual production of the required quantities will start after the EMU decides on your admission to the Eurozone.