Bulgarian lev български лев (Bulgarian)
1 lev coin (2002)
ISO 4217 Code	BGN
User(s)	Bulgaria
Inflation	7. ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian In economics inflation or price inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time 8%
Source	The World Factbook, 2007 est.
Pegged with	euro = 1. A fixed exchange rate, sometimes called a pegged exchange rate, is a type of Exchange rate regime wherein a Currency 's value is matched to the value of Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e 95583 leva
Subunit
1/100	stotinka
Symbol	лв
Plural	levove, numeric: leva
stotinka	stotinki
Coins	1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 stotinki, 1 lev
Banknotes	2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 leva
Central bank	Bulgarian National Bank
Website	www.bnb.bg
Mint	Bulgarian Mint
Website	www.mint.bg

The lev (Bulgarian: лев, plural: лева, левове / leva, levove) is the currency of Bulgaria. A currency sign is a graphic symbol often used as a shorthand for a Currency 's name Plural is a Grammatical number, typically referring to more than one of the Referent in the real world A central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is the entity responsible for the Monetary policy of a country or of a group of member states The Bulgarian National Bank (Българска народна банка Balgarska narodna banka) is the Central bank of the Republic of Bulgaria A mint is an industrial facility which manufactures Coins for Currency. The Bulgarian Mint (Монетен двор Moneten dvor) established in 1952, is solely responsible for the production of legal tender Coins in Bulgarian (български език IPA: ɛzˈik is an Indo-European language, a member of the Slavic linguistic group A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian It is divided in 100 stotinki (стотинки, singular: stotinka, стотинка). In archaic Bulgarian the word "lev" meant "lion".

Contents 1 History 1.1 First lev, 1881–1952 1.2 Second lev, 1952–1962 1.3 Third lev, 1962–1999 1.4 Fourth lev, 1999–today 2 Coins 2.1 First lev 2.2 Second lev 2.3 Third lev 2.4 Fourth lev 3 Banknotes 3.1 First lev 3.2 Second lev 3.3 Third lev 3.4 Fourth lev 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

History

First lev, 1881–1952

The lev was introduced as Bulgaria's currency in 1881 with a value equal to the French franc. Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The franc (represented by the franc sign ₣ or more commonly just F) is a former Currency of France. The gold standard was suspended between 1899 and 1906 before being suspended again in 1912. Until 1916, Bulgaria's silver and gold coins were issued to the same specifications as those of the Latin Monetary Union. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Latin Monetary Union ( LMU) was a 19th century attempt to unify several European currencies into a single currency that could be Banknotes were issued until 1928 were backed by gold ("leva zlato" or "zlatni", "лева злато" or "златни") or silver ("leva srebro" or "srebarni", "лева сребро" or "сребърни"). ISO 4217 codes have been assigned to the lev overall (BGO) and the gold lev (BGZ) and silver lev (BGS). ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established

In 1928, a new gold standard of 1 lev = 10. 86956 mg gold was established.

During World war II, in 1940, the lev was pegged to the German Reichsmark at a rate of 32. For a detailed discussion of the English translation of Reich, see Reich. 75 leva = 1 Reichsmark. With the Soviet occupation in September 1944, the lev was pegged to the Soviet ruble at 15 leva = 1 ruble. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The ruble or rouble (рубль see below for other Soviet languages) was the currency of the Soviet Union. A series of pegs to the U.S. dollar followed: 120 leva = 1 dollar in October 1945, 286. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been 50 leva in December 1945 and 143. 25 leva in March 1947. No coins were issued after 1943; only banknotes were issued until the currency reform of 1952.

Second lev, 1952–1962

In 1952, following wartime inflation, a new lev replaced the original lev at a rate of 1 "new" lev = 100 "old" leva. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The ISO 4217 code was BGM. The new lev was pegged to the U. S. dollar at a rate of 6. 8 leva = 1 dollar, falling to 9. 52 leva on July 29, 1957.

Third lev, 1962–1999

In 1962, another redenomination took place at the rate of 10 to 1, setting the exchange rate at 1. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) 17 leva = 1 U. S. dollar, with the tourist rate falling to 2 leva on February 1, 1964. The ISO 4217 code was BGL. After this, the lev remained fairly stable for almost three decades. However, like other Communist countries' currencies, it was not freely convertible for Western funds. Consequently, black market rates were five to ten times higher than the official rate .

After the fall of communism, Bulgaria experienced several episodes of drastic inflation and currency devaluation. In order to change this, in 1997, the lev was pegged to the Deutsche Mark (DEM), at a rate of 1000 leva to the Deutsche Mark.

Fourth lev, 1999–today

On July 5, 1999 the lev was redenominated at 1000:1 with 1 new lev equal to 1 Deutsche Mark. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The ISO 4217 currency code for the new Bulgarian lev is BGN. ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established

With the replacement of the Deutsche Mark by the euro, the lev's peg effectively switched to the euro, at the rate of 1. Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e 95583 leva = 1 euro, which is the Deutsche Mark's fixed exchange rate to euro. Since 1997, Bulgaria has been in a system of currency board and all Bulgarian currency in circulation has been backed 100% by the foreign exchange reserves of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). A currency board is a Monetary authority which is required to maintain a Fixed exchange rate with a foreign currency The Bulgarian National Bank (Българска народна банка Balgarska narodna banka) is the Central bank of the Republic of Bulgaria The rate is unlikely to change before the lev's retirement. On 25 April 2005, when Bulgaria's EU accession treaty was signed, the BNB issued a commemorative coin with the face value of 1. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 95583 leva. The lev is expected to be replaced by the euro on 1 January 2012. Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC 2012 ( MMXII) will be a Leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[1]

Coins

First lev

Between 1881 and 1884, bronze 2, 5 and 20 stotinki, and silver 50 stotinki, 1, 2 and 5 leva were introduced, followed, in 1888, by cupro-nickel 2½, 5, 10 and 20 stotinki. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Gold 10 and 20 leva were issued in 1894. Bronze 1 stotinka were introduced in 1901.

Production of silver coins ceased in 1916, with zinc replacing cupro-nickel in the 5, 10 and 20 stotinki in 1917. In 1923, aluminium 1 and 2 leva coins were introduced, followed by cupro-nickel pieces in 1925. In 1930, cupro-nickel 5 and 10 leva and silver 20, 50 and 100 leva were introduced, with silver coins issued until 1937, in which year aluminium-bronze 50 stotinki were issued.

In 1940, cupro-nickel 20 and 50 leva were issued, followed, in 1941, by iron 1, 2, 5 and 10 leva. In 1943, nickel-clad-steel 5, 10 and 50 leva were struck. These were the last coins issued for this version of the lev.

Second lev

In 1952, coins (dated 1951) were introduced in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 stotinki, with the lower three denominations in brass and the higher three in cupro-nickel. Cupro-nickel 20 stotinki dated 1952 were also issued, followed by 50 stotinki in 1959 and 1 lev in 1960 (both also in cupro-nickel).

Third lev

In 1962, brass 1, 2 and 5 stotinki, and nickel-brass 10, 20 and 50 stotinki and 1 lev were introduced.

Communist era coins
Image	Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Composition	Obverse	Reverse	Minted Year
	1 stotinka	15. 2 mm	1 g	Brass	Coat of Arms	Denomination and date	1962-90
	2 stotinki	18. 1 mm	2 g
	5 stotinki	22. 35 mm	3. 1 g
	10 stotinki	17. 1 mm	1. 8 g	Nickel-brass
	20 stotinki	21. 2 mm	2. 9 g
	50 stotinki	23. 3 mm	4. 2 g
	1 lev	??	??

In 1992, a new coinage was introduced in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 stotinki, 1, 2, 5 and 10 leva. All were struck in nickel-brass except for the cupro-nickel 10 leva. In 1997, nickel-brass 10, 20 and 50 leva were introduced.

Fourth lev

In 1999, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki and 1 lev were introduced. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The 1 and 2 stotinki are struck in brass, the 5 stotinki in bronze and the 10, 20 and 50 stotinki in cupro-nickel. The 1 leva coins are bimetallic.

Banknotes

First lev

In 1885, the Bulgarian National Bank introduced notes for 20 and 50 gold leva, followed in 1887 by 100 gold leva and, in 1890, by 5 and 10 gold leva notes. The Bulgarian National Bank (Българска народна банка Balgarska narodna banka) is the Central bank of the Republic of Bulgaria In 1899, 5, 10 and 50 silver leva notes were issued, followed by 100 and 500 silver leva in 1906 and 1907, respectively. 500 gold leva notes were also introduced in 1907.

In 1916, 1 and 2 silver leva and 1000 gold leva notes were introduced, followed by 2500 and 10,000 gold leva notes in 1919. In 1924, 5000 leva notes were issued, the first to lack a metal designation. In 1928, a new series of notes (dated 1922 and 1925) was introduced which gave the denominations solely in leva. Denominations introduced were 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 leva. These were followed in 1929 by 200 and 250 leva.

In 1930, coins up to 100 leva replaced notes, although 20 leva notes were issued between 1943 and 1950. Between 1943 and 1945, State Treasury Bills for 1000 and 5000 leva were issued.

Second lev

In 1952, state notes (dated 1951) were issued in 1, 3 and 5 leva, together with notes of the National Bank for 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 leva. 500 leva notes were printed but not issued.

Third lev

In 1962, the National Bank issued notes for 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 leva. A second series, in the same denominations, was issued in 1974. 50 leva notes were introduced in 1990. After the fall of the communist regime, new notes were introduced for 20, 50, 100 and 200 leva. These were followed by 500 leva notes in 1993, 1000 and 2000 leva in 1994, 5000 and 10,000 leva in 1996, and 50,000 leva in 1997.

Fourth lev

In 1999, banknotes were introduced in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 leva. 100 leva notes were added in 2003.

1999 series [1]
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description			Date of printing	Remark
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse	Watermark
		1 lev	112 × 60 mm	Red	Ivan Rilski	Rila Monastery	Rampant lion	1999	Rarely seen in circulation, replaced by coin
		2 leva	116 × 64 mm	Violet	Paisiy Hilendarski	Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya		1999, 2005
		5 leva	121 × 67 mm	Red	Ivan Milev	Paintings by Ivan Milev		1999
		10 leva	126 × 70 mm	Green	Petar Beron	Astronomical instruments			This design was also used for the 10,000 BGL (third leva) banknote
		20 leva	131 × 73 mm	Blue	Stefan Stambolov	Orlov most, Lavov most		1999, 2007	The most common banknote produced by ATMs
		50 leva	136 × 76 mm	Brown	Pencho Slaveykov	Poems by Pencho Slaveykov		1999, 2006
		100 leva	141 × 79 mm	Green	Aleko Konstantinov	Aleko Konstantinov		2003
These images are to scale at 0. Saint Ivan Rilski ( Bulgarian: Свети Иван Рилски sveti Ivan Rilski) (876 – c The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery (Рилски манастир Rilski manastir) is the largest and most famous Eastern Saint Paisius of Hilendar or Paisiy Hilendarski (Свети Паисий Хилендарски (1722–1773 was a Bulgarian clergyman and a key Bulgarian National Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya ( Cyrillic: История славяноболгарская Modern Bulgarian: История славянобългарска Petar Beron is also the name of a prominent political figure in present-day Bulgaria Astronomy (from the Greek words astron (ἄστρον "star" and nomos (νόμος "law" is the scientific study Stefan Nikolov Stambolov (Стефан Николов Стамболов (January 31 1854 – July 6 1895 was a Bulgarian Revolutionary and Statesman, in Orlov Most (Орлов мост meaning "Eagle's Bridge" is a bridge over the Perlovska River in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria Lavov Most (Лъвов мост meaning "Lion's Bridge" is a bridge over the Vladaya River in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, Pencho Petkov Slaveykov (Пенчо Петков Славейков ( 27 April 1866 – 10 June 1912) was a noted Bulgarian Poet Aleko Konstantinov (Алеко Константинов ( January 1, 1863 - May 23, 1897) was a Bulgarian writer best known for 7 pixels per millimetre, a Wikipedia standard for world banknotes. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

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See also

• Currencies related to the euro
• Bulgarian euro coins
• Economy of Bulgaria

References

External links

• Don's World Coin Gallery - Bulgaria
• Ron Wise's World Paper Money - Bulgaria ^{Mirror site}
• The Global History of Currencies - Bulgaria
• Global Financial Data data series - Bulgaria New Lev
• Global Financial Data currency histories table ( Microsoft Excel format)
• Currency in Bulgaria, from Bulgarian-Guide. com
• Bulgarian Banknotes

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