Description
The lev is the official currency of Bulgaria. The official currency symbol: лв. The term “lev” meant “lion” in old Bulgarian; the contemporary word for “lion” is luv. The name “stotinka” is derived from the word “sto”, which means “a hundred.” Four lev have been introduced in Bulgaria, the first was adopted in 1881, and the last, in current use, was adopted in 1999. During the adoption of the latter lev, and after a redenomination process, coins were introduced in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki. In 2002, a 1 lev coin replaced the 1 lev banknote, and in 2015, a 2 lev coin replaced the 2 lev banknote.
The 1 Bulgarian lev coin front design illustrate Saint Ivan of Rila (876 – c. 946) was the first Bulgarian hermit. Today he is honored as the patron saint of Bulgarians and one of the most important saints of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, followed by the name of the country. The reverse of the coin presents the denomination and the issue date. This coin is part of the 2002 series, its rim is alternately plain and fluted, and its color is silver and gold.
Text: СВ. ИВАН РИЛСКИ, БЪЛГАРИЯ, 1, ΛЕВ, 2002.