- Silver .500
120 Years Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
1989 · 20 leva · Bulgarian National Bank
Specifications
- Metal
- Silver 500/1000
- Weight
- 11.2 g
- Fine silver content
- 5.60 g (0.1800 oz t)
- Diameter
- 30 mm
- Quality
- Proof
- Official mintage
- 100,000
- Year of issue
- 1989
- Series
- Individual issue
- Designer
- Kancho Avramov
- Minted by
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Catalogue no.
- BC-1989-01
- Issue price
- 20.00 лв
- pre-1999 lev · BNB, 1989
- Market value (asking prices)
- —
- no verified data yet
- Melt value
- €9.13
- Ag spot €50.70/oz · Oct 2026
Relative rarity
4/10 · Common
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get extra points, because much of that silver and gold was melted down and many coins were lost in the wars and withdrawn in 1952.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 headquarters building of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, with the years ‘1869-1989’ above and the year of issue ‘1989’ and the value ‘20 ЛЕВА’ (20 levs) below. The design is encircled by stylised sun rays and the words ‘БЪЛГАРСКА АКАДЕМИЯ НА НАУКИТЕ’ (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) and ‘120 ГОДИНИ’ (120 years).
Reverse
The reverse features the coat of arms of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, framed by stylised sun rays, all surrounded by the words ‘НАРОДНА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ’ (People’s Republic of Bulgaria) and five five-pointed stars.
Edge & packaging
Flat edge. Issued in a protective capsule with an information leaflet. The BNB advises keeping the capsule closed.
About this coin
120 Years Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
A 20 leva silver coin issued by the Bulgarian National Bank in 1989. 100,000 pieces were minted in Sofia, Bulgaria, to a design by Kancho Avramov.
Sources: BNB coin page · BNB register and prices
