- Silver .500
100 Years Bulgarian Telecommunications (proof)
1979 · 5 leva · Bulgarian National Bank
Specifications
- Metal
- Silver 500/1000
- Weight
- 20.5 g
- Fine silver content
- 10.25 g (0.3295 oz t)
- Diameter
- 36 mm
- Quality
- Proof
- Official mintage
- 15,000
- Year of issue
- 1979
- Series
- Individual issue
- Designer
- Stefan Kunchev
- Minted by
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Catalogue no.
- BC-1979-02
- Issue price
- 5.00 лв
- pre-1999 lev · BNB, 1979
- Market value (asking prices)
- —
- no verified data yet
- Melt value
- €16.71
- Ag spot €50.70/oz · Oct 2026
Relative rarity
6/10 · Scarce
How we calculate it
The score starts from the mintage on a logarithmic scale (500 coins or fewer = 10, ten million = 1). Coins of the Principality and the Kingdom that circulated get extra points, because much of that silver and gold was melted down and many coins were lost in the wars and withdrawn in 1952. Modern commemorative coins lose a point, since almost all of them survive in collections. Finally we look at how often the coin is offered on Balkan Auction: frequent offers lower the score.
Bulgarian Coin Exchange · Beta
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Obverse
The obverse features the coat of arms of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, with the year of minting ‘1979’ and the word ‘ЛЕВА’ (levs) horizontally below, within a dotted ring which ends in floral motifs, the circumscription ‘НАРОДНА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ’ (People’s Republic of Bulgaria) and the value number ‘5’.
Reverse
The reverse depicts a stylised radio antenna emitting radio waves. The design is surrounded by the words ‘СТО ГОДИНИ БЪЛГАРСКИ СЪОБЩЕНИЯ’ (100 Years Bulgarian Telecommunications) and the anniversary years ‘1879’ and ‘1979’, separated by the emblem of the Bulgarian Posts.
Edge & packaging
Flat edge. Issued in a protective capsule with an information leaflet. The BNB advises keeping the capsule closed.
About this coin
100 Years Bulgarian Telecommunications (proof)
A 5 leva silver coin issued by the Bulgarian National Bank in 1979. 15,000 pieces were minted in Sofia, Bulgaria, to a design by Stefan Kunchev.
Sources: BNB coin page · BNB register and prices