Kingdom of Romania

The beginning of the unification of the Danube principalities into a single Romanian state is considered to be 1861, when the United Principality of Wallachia and Moldova was created under Ottoman sovereignty. The structure also initially included the historical region of Dobruja. Alexander Ion Cuza became the domnitor of the new state formation.

 

In 1866, the Monstrous Coalition, dissatisfied with the ruler's policy, organized a palace coup and elected Carol I from the German Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty as the new domnitor.

 

In 1867, the first issue of coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 baths took place. Copper coins were issued by two English mints: Heaton, Birmingham and Scottish James Watt & Co.

 

 

Larger denominations, silver 50 baths, 1, 2, 5 lei were issued later, in 1870-1881 with the legend "CAROL I. DOMNUL ROMANIEI."

 

In addition, in 1879 a small copper coin with a denomination of 2 baths with the profile of Carol I with the same legend was first put into circulation. The coin was issued for three years, until 1881.

 

In 1878, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the principality gained independence from the Ottoman Empire, and in 1881 the Kingdom of Romania was proclaimed, headed by King Carol I. The first, in the same year, 1881, 5 lei coins were issued. The legend on the coins of the new issues changed to "CAROL I. REGE AL ROMANIEI." The release of other denominations occurred later. Copper 2 and 5 baths were issued in 1882, silver 50 baths and 1 lei in 1884.

 

In 1894, 50 baths, 1 and 2 lei saw the light with an updated, "aged" portrait of King Carol I.

 

In 1900, the Romanian trifle line came out in a radically updated design. A new denomination appeared - 1 ban made of copper. The name of the state appeared on 2 baths above the coat of arms, and for the first time a copper-nickel alloy was used to make coins in 5, 10, 20 baths. The entire line was produced for only one year. The most rare is the coin of 20 baths, issued in a circulation of 2.5 million copies.

 

In 1905-1906, coins of 5, 10, 20 baths acquired a new design, this time for the first time with a hole in the center of the workpiece.

The changes also affected silver denominations. 50 baths, 1 and 2 lei lost the coat of arms of the state on the reverse. Instead, there is a crown with an olive branch for 50 baths, and on the rest there is a walking female figure with a spindle in his hands and a sickle behind his belt.

 

In 1906, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the reign of Carol I, a commemorative coin was issued - 1 lei of 0.835 sterling silver. There are two profiles of Karol I on the coin - "young" and "old" with the corresponding legends "DOMNUL" and "REGE AL."

 

In 1914, Karol died, losing the throne to his nephew - Ferdinand I, who ruled until 1927 and managed to issue only 4 coins: 25 and 50 aluminum baths, 1 and 2 lei from a copper-nickel alloy.

 

The direct heir to King Ferdinand - the son of Carol II was reputed to be an eccentric brawler, prone to sexual adventures. Ferdinand, who did not welcome such behavior of his son, deprived him of the succession in favor of his grandson, Mihai I, who at the age of six, after the death of his grandfather, inherited the Romanian throne. A couple of coins issued (for the first time from a nickel-brass alloy) are the only ones in a short reign. Already in 1930, "dad" Carol II returned from abroad and took the throne from his son.

 

Karol II ruled the country for only 10 years, while noting not the most popular political decisions among the people. In honor of gaining the throne in 1930, at once at 4 mints (Paris, London, Kings Norton and Heaton in Birmingham) coins were ordered in denominations of 10 and 20 lei all from the same nickel-brass alloy.

 

For the first time since 1914, 1932, newly issued silver coins of 500 samples - 100 lei were circulated in Romania. In 1935, 250 lei from silver 750 samples were produced, and in 1939-1940 - 250 lei from silver already 835 samples.

 

 

In 1936, 1938, a nickel coin of 100 lei was issued.

 

In 1937, 1938, 50 lei of nickel were in circulation. They depict Carol II in a ceremonial helmet.

 

In 1940, during the coup, Karol II was removed from the throne and his son, Mihai I, took his place for the second time. His reign fell on the period of World War II. Overview of coins issued during this period in the relevant topic.

 

In 1944, Mihai I, with the support of the anti-fascist opposition, neutralized the dictator Antonescu and declared war on Germany, joining the Anti-Hitler coalition. Until 1947, when, at the end of the war, the communist government abolished the monarchy and the king emigrated from the country in 1947, Romanian coins were minted with the profile of Mihai I.

 

 

In 2017, Mihai I, who lived in Switzerland, died of leukemia at the age of 96. The year before, for health reasons, he renounced the rights to the Romanian throne for health reasons in favor of his eldest daughter Margarita.