The Bulgarian National Bank has finalized the national designs for Bulgaria’s euro coins, featuring culturally significant symbols like the Madara Horseman, St. Ivan Rilski, and Paisius of Hilendar. All coins include mandatory EU elements such as the 12 stars, the word "BULGARIA" in Cyrillic, and the year "2026," with the 2-euro coin bearing a unique edge inscription: “GOD PROTECT BULGARIA.” These designs, approved by the EU Council in February 2024, reflect national identity and align with EU regulations, as Bulgaria prepares for a potential euro adoption by 2026—though the official entry date has yet to be confirmed.
Bulgaria finalizes designs for national euro coins.
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Bulgaria
Author: Nikolina Basić
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Content accuracy validation date:
24.04.2025
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The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Governing Council has approved the revised graphic designs for Bulgaria’s national side of euro coins across all denominations, confirming their readiness for production ahead of the country’s anticipated euro adoption.
Denominations & Symbols:
· Euro coins consist of two sides—a common European side and a national side that reflects the issuing country. Bulgaria's national side will follow the standard requirement of displaying a circle of 12 stars, as seen on the EU flag. It will also include the word" "BULGARIA"/"БЪЛГАРИЯ" in Cyrillic script to indicate the country of origin. A distinctive feature of the Bulgarian two-euro coin will be the edge inscription, which reads "GOD PROTECT BULGARIA" / "БОЖЕ ПАЗИ БЪЛГАРИЯ" in one direction and the same phrase in reverse on the other half of the edge.
· In addition to the required elements, optional inscriptions have also been chosen. The 1- and 2-euro coins will include the word "euro" / "евро" in Cyrillic, while the 1-cent coin will carry the word "stotinka" / "стотинка," and the 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50-cent coins will feature "stotinki" / "стотинки" in Cyrillic script.
· 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50-cent coins: Feature the Madara Horseman, a UNESCO-listed medieval rock relief.
· 1-euro coin: Depicts St. Ivan Rilski, Bulgaria’s patron saint.
· 2-euro coin: Showcases Paisius of Hilendar, a key figure of the Bulgarian National Revival.
Mandatory elements:
· 12 EU stars, Cyrillic "BULGARIA," and the year "2026."
· The 2-euro coin’s edge inscription reads "GOD PROTECT BULGARIA" (mirrored).
Optional Details: Cyrillic spellings of "euro," "stotinka" (cent), and the year of euro introduction.
The designs mirror motifs from Bulgaria’s current lev coins, ensuring familiarity. "The symbols are deeply rooted in our identity and widely accepted by citizens," the BNB stated. Artistic revisions were finalized by Monet Dvor EAD, Bulgaria’s minting authority. The EU Council greenlit Bulgaria’s designs in February 2024 (Decision IN5693/24), aligning with EU Regulation 729/2014. Euro coins will pair these national sides with a common EU design by Luc Luycx of Belgium’s Royal Mint. Bulgaria targets euro adoption by 2026, pending inflation and ERM-II criteria. The coin designs underscore cultural pride while meeting EU standardization requirements. However, we need to underline that the final date for adopting the euro as an official currency is not officially released.
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