What the law says about owning, buying and selling coins in Bulgaria
Modern coins, old coins and cultural property – when a deal is free and when the law sets conditions
BulgarianCoins editorial team 2 min read
Many collectors wonder whether it is legal to own, buy and sell coins. The answer depends on what kind of coins they are. This article is a general overview, not legal advice. For a specific case, consult a lawyer or the Ministry of Culture.
Two groups of coins
Free coins. Circulation coins, BNB commemorative coins and most common coins of the 19th and 20th centuries are bought, sold and owned freely. The general rules apply to them – contract, taxes, consumer protection.
Cultural property. Coins that have historical, archaeological or scientific value – above all ancient, medieval and especially rare coins – fall under the regime of the Cultural Heritage Act (ZKN).
What the Cultural Heritage Act says
- Identification and registration. Cultural property must be identified by a museum or by a licensed dealer and entered in a register. See Cultural property: when a coin must be registered.
- Sale of registered items only. Under Art. 113(1) of the Act, transactions for consideration involving movable cultural property may only take place if it has been identified and registered (Constitutional Court).
- Licensed dealers. Trade in cultural property is carried out by dealers licensed by the Minister of Culture. They may also identify the items they sell (Cultural Heritage Act).
- Export with a permit. Exporting cultural property requires a permit or a certificate. See How to export coins abroad.
Found coins
Coins found in the ground are a separate matter. Archaeological sites are state property, and searching them without a permit is a crime. See Treasure hunting and metal detecting: what is legal.
Ancient coins
Ancient coins are the most sensitive category. Buy them only from licensed dealers, with a document of provenance and registration. See How to buy ancient coins legally.
Taxes
The sale of collectable items by an individual is taxed at 10% of the profit. See Taxes on selling coins.
Practical rules
- Keep the purchase documents for every valuable coin.
- Buy from trusted sellers. With old and rare coins, ask about the provenance.
- Do not buy “freshly dug” coins. It is both illegal and risky.
- When in doubt, ask a museum. Regional museums can tell you whether a coin is cultural property.
Modern coins
For collectors of coins from the Principality to the present day and of BNB commemorative coins – the bulk of our catalogue – the law usually creates no difficulties. What matters are taxes, documents and an honest deal. BulgarianCoins does not trade in coins. The Bulgarian Coin Exchange will launch soon, where coins will be offered under clear rules.
