After five centuries of Ottoman rule, in 1878, following the results of the Russo-Turkish war, Bulgaria gained autonomy within the Ottoman Empire and became the Principality. Then the production of the first Bulgarian coins in modern history began.
The first Bulgarian prince was Alexander Battenberg from the Hessian Battenberg dynasty, lieutenant general of the Russian army, by the way.
Prince Alexander I Battenberg of Bulgaria (reigned 1879-1886, life years 1857-1893)
The first issue of coins of the Bulgarian principality (formally still under the Ottomans) took place in 1881-1885. Even when developing the first trial Bulgarian coins in 1880, it was decided to put on the coin the motto "UNIFICATION-THAT RULES POWER-THAT," which literally translates as "Unity gives strength." On the coins of Belgium of the XIX century the same legend, only in French - "L'Union fait la force."
KM # 1, 2 stotinki 1881, bronze, 5 million ex. only year of production
KM # 2, 5 stotinki 1881, bronze, 10 million copies, only year of production
After the expulsion of Alexander I in 1887, Ferdinand I (Ferdinand Maximilian Karl Maria Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) ascended the Bulgarian throne, judging by the profile - the personality is very charismatic...
Prince Ferdinand I of Bulgaria (reigned 1887-1918, life years 1861-1948)
In 1888, the first issue of coins in denominations of 2 ½, 5, 10 and 20 stotinok from a copper-nickel alloy took place. A little less often than the rest there are 2 ½ stotinki .
KM # 8, 2 ½ stotinki 1888, copper-nickel alloy, 11.6 mln. equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 9, 5 stotinki 1888, copper-nickel alloy, 14 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 10, 10 stotinki 1888, copper-nickel alloy, 10 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 11, 20 stotinki 1888, copper-nickel alloy, 5 mln ecz , single year of manufacture
Later, in 1891-1892, silver coins were issued with the "young" Ferdinand.
KM # 12, 50 stotinok 1891 , silver 0.835, 2 million ex. only year of production
KM # 13, 1 lev 1891, silver 0.835, 4 M ex, single year of manufacture
KM # 14, 2 lev 1891 , silver 0.835, 1.5 M ex, single year of manufacture
KM # 15, 5 Leva 1892, Silver 0.900, 1 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
On the coins of the 1894 model, the legend changed from "PRINCE BILGARSKY" to "BILGARSKY PRINCE."
KM # 16, 1 lev 1894, silver 0.835, 1 M ex, single year of manufacture
KM # 17, 2 Leva 1894 , Silver 0.835, 1 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
In 1901 and 1906, the last coins of Bulgaria in the principality stage were issued: 1 and 2 stotinki made of bronze, 5, 10, 20 stotinki made of copper-nickel alloy.
KM # 22.1, 1 stotinka 1901, bronze, 20 million ex. only year of production
KM # 23.1, 2 stotinki 1901, bronze, 40 million copies, only year of production
KM # 24, 5 stotinki 1906, copper-nickel alloy, 14 million equivalent, production years 1906-1913
KM # 25,10 stotinki 1906, copper-nickel alloy, 13 million equivalent, production years 1906-1913
KM # 26, 20 stotinki 1906, copper-nickel alloy, 10 million equivalent, production years 1906-1913
In 1908, Ferdinand declared himself king and Bulgaria became the Kingdom. On coins in denominations of 1 and 2 hundred coins of the 1912 model, the designer's name is missing under the date.
KM # 22.2, 1 stotinka 1912, bronze, 20 million copies, only year of production
KM # 23.2, 2 stotinki 1912, bronze, 40 million copies, only year of production
Without changing the design in 1912 and 1913 , copper-nickel 5, 10, 20 stotinok were released.
KM # 24, 5 stotinki 1913, copper-nickel alloy, 20 million equivalent, production years 1906-1913
KM # 25.10 stotinki 1912, copper-nickel alloy, 13 million equivalent, production years 1906-1913
KM # 26, 20 stotinki 1913, copper-nickel alloy, 5 million equivalent, production years 1906-1913
Coins of this type during the First World War were also issued in zinc,
KM # 24a, 5 stotinki 1917, zinc, 53.2 million copies, only year of production
KM # 25a, 10 stotinki 1917, zinc, 59.1 million copies, only year of production
KM # 26a, 20 stotinki 1917, zinc, 40 million copies, only year of production
Further, a little small silver of the same period (first the head "to the right," then "to the left). Sample is still the same - 0.835
KM # 27, 50 stotinok 1910 , silver 0.835, 400 thousand copies, only year of production
KM # 28, 1 lev 1910 , silver 0.835, 400 thousand copies, only year of production
KM # 29, 2 Leva 1910 , Silver 0.835, 3 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 30, 50 stotinok 1913 , silver 0.835, 3 million ex. years of production 1912-1916
KM # 31, 1 lev 1913 , silver 0.835, 3.5 M ex. years of production 1912-1916
KM # 32, 2 left 1912 , silver 0.835, 1 MMex. years of manufacture 1912-1916
After the defeat of his country in World War I, Ferdinand abdicated in 1918 in favor of his son, Boris III.
Tsar Boris III of Bulgaria (reigned 1918-1943, life years 1894-1943)
KM # 35, 1 LV 1923 , Aluminium, 40 M equivalent, only year of manufacture
KM # 36, 2 LV 1923 , Aluminium, 20 M equivalent, only year of manufacture
Perhaps one of the most infrequent Bulgarian coins of those years. It is difficult to find them in good condition, because, as I read somewhere, citizens redid the bulk of the coin... on spoons.
A small selection of pre-war coins of Bulgaria. Withstood only one circulation. In 1930, on the coins of 5 and 10 leva, the image of the Madar horseman first appeared - a relief image in the rocks in Bulgaria, dated 710 AD, created during the reign of Khan Tarvel, as well as the inscription "Krum" and date 814. Krum is a Bulgarian khan who did not allow the conquest of Bulgaria by the Byzantine Empire and, subsequently, almost destroyed it. This was prevented by sudden death in 814. The Byzantine Iperator, with whom Khan Krum fought, was called Leo V Armenin. The connection between the image of the rider and Khan Krum with a difference of 100 years cannot be traced. Perhaps this is just a set of historically important symbols for Bulgaria.
KM # 37, 1 LV 1925, copper-nickel alloy, 35 million exes. (Poissy md.), the only year of production
KM # 38, 2 lev 1925, copper-nickel alloy, 20 million ex. (m.d. Brussels), only year of issue
KM # 41, 20 Leva 1930, Silver 0.500, 10 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 42, 50 Leva 1930, Silver 0.500, 9 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 44, 50 Leva 1934, Silver 0.500, 3 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 45, 100 Leva 1934, Silver 0.500, 2.5 M Ex., Years 1934.1937
KM # 48, 50 lev 1940, copper-nickel alloy, 12.3 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
A complete selection of all types of coins from the Second World War is in the corresponding section.
In 1943, after meeting with Hitler, whose ally during the Second World War was Bulgaria, Tsar Boris III suddenly dies of a heart attack . Boris's son, Simeon II, who ascended the Bulgarian throne, did not manage to issue his coins. In 1946, following a referendum, Tsar Simeon II was removed from power. Bulgaria became the People's Republic.
Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria (reigned 1943-1946, born 1937)