Ships, sailors and the sea on Bulgarian coins
The steamship “Radetzky”, the sailing ship “Kaliakra”, the Black Sea coast and the monk seal
BulgarianCoins editorial team 2 min read
Bulgaria has only about 380 km of Black Sea coastline, but the sea holds a special place in its history and culture. There are few coins with a maritime theme. That is why a thematic collection can be put together relatively easily. See also the Ships page.
The steamship “Radetzky” (1992)
“The Radetzky Steamship” is a silver 100 leva coin, silver 925, 23.33 g, with a mintage of 30,000. The designer is Lyubomir Prahov.
The story is one of the best known of the Bulgarian National Revival. In May 1876 Hristo Botev and his band boarded the Austrian steamship “Radetzky” as passengers. They then seized it and forced the captain to land them on the Bulgarian shore at Kozloduy. Today a replica of the ship is a museum in Kozloduy.
The sailing ship “Kaliakra” (1996)
“Kaliakra Sailing Ship” is a silver 1000 leva coin, silver 925, 23.33 g, with a mintage of 30,000. The designer is Petar Stoykov.
“Kaliakra” is a training sailing ship of the Bulgarian Navy. It is named after Cape Kaliakra and has trained generations of sailors. The ship takes part in international tall-ship regattas. The coin is offered for about €240.
The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast (2006)
“The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast” is from the series “National Parks and Reserves”. It is silver, with a mintage of only 7,000, and the designers are Evgenia Tsankova and Plamen Chernev. It is offered for about €470.
The monk seal (1999)
“Monk Seal” recalls an animal that once lived along the Bulgarian coast, especially around Kaliakra. With a mintage of 5,000 it is the most sought-after coin with a maritime theme. It is offered for about €600. More about it – in Animals and nature on coins.
Table
| Year | Coin | Mintage | Median listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The steamship “Radetzky” | 30,000 | ≈ €50 (1 listing) |
| 1996 | Sailing ship “Kaliakra” | 30,000 | ≈ €240 |
| 1999 | Monk Seal | 5,000 | ≈ €600 |
| 2006 | The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast | 7,000 | ≈ €470 |
Prices are based on current listings on Balkan Auction as of 19.10.2026. There are few listings for these coins, so treat them as a guide.
The sea on other coins too
The maritime theme also appears on other coins – for example in the portraits of writers and revolutionaries connected with Varna and Burgas. For a thematic collection you can also add coins with animals or with historic anniversaries.
How to put the collection together
The four coins are relatively easy to find. “Radetzky” and “Kaliakra” have large mintages and turn up at lower prices. For “Monk Seal” and “The Black Sea Coast” you will need a bigger budget. All four fit in one small box. See Thematic collecting.
