1. In accordance with the prerogatives conferred upon by Law No. 101/1998, the National Bank of Romania will put into circulation, starting 27 December 2000, a gold coin with face value of lei 5,000 dedicated to the celebration of 2000 years of Christianity.
Characteristics:
- shape: round;
- type of metal: gold;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 31.103 gr.;
- diameter: 35 mm;
- edge: flat;
- year of issue: 2000.
Obverse: In the middle, the Romanian Coat of Arms, the year of issue "2000" and a stylised cross within an inset. The graphics of the cross presents a group of palaeochristian archaeological pieces, symbolising the beginnings of Christianity on the territory of Romania. The first piece is a fish-shaped earthen lamp, the Christians' symbol, dating from the 4th century AD. Underneath, there are two other pieces, known as the "Donarium from Biertan", a village in the county of Sibiu, where a Dacian-Roman settlement lay in ancient times, after Romans had left Dacia. The donarium consists of two bronze plates - the one above, in the shape of tabula ansata (a plate with handles), has an inscription in Latin "EGO ZENOVIUS VOTUM POSUI" (I, ZENOBIUS, PUT THIS DONATION) and the other one is an inset with the monogram of Jesus (X+P). The inscription "ROMANIA" is engraved above the inset and below there is the nominal value of "5000 LEI", both items being circularly displayed. Two groups of three crosses are symmetrically placed on the edge of the coin.
Reverse: In an inset, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Circularly, the inscriptions "2000 ANI DE CREŞTINISM" and "COMEMORAREA MILENIULUI", separated by two crosses.
Mintage: 1,000 pieces for both domestic and international markets. These gold coins are encapsulated in transparent plastic cases and have authentication certificates (in Romanian and English) signed both by the Governor of the National Bank of Romania and the Chief Cashier, as well as a prospectus.
This coin is legal tender in Romania. The design of this coin is protected by registration with the State Office of Trade Marks (OSIM) in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be punished accordingly.
The branches of the National Bank of Romania are in charge of putting into circulation the gold coins of Lei 5000 face value - year of issue 2000 - for numismatic purposes.
2. The National Bank of Romania took the initiative of the international monetary authorities to sell various numismatic articles to numismatists and any other interested persons. With this end in view, starting 22 December 2000, the branches of the National Bank of Romania will be ready to sell mint sets and special printed sheets with Romanian banknotes.
The mint sets consist of coins of each denomination in circulation, with a face value of lei 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000, issued in 2000. The mint sets have a better quality than the usual coins in circulation, so that it may reach the "proof" level. For their protection, the coins are packed in cardboard cases on which data, information and images representative for Romania and the monetary institution are printed.
The special printed sheets with Romanian banknotes have the following characteristics:
- the sheets with lei 10,000 notes, issued in 2,000 copies, consist of 4 notes, two placed horizontally and two vertically;
- the sheets with lei 500,000 notes, issued in 1,000 copies, consist of 4 notes placed vertically.
The sheets have authentication certificates (in Romanian and English) signed both by the Governor of the National Bank of Romania and the Chief Cashier. The authentication certificate contains the following elements: the name of the issuing central bank, the number of printed sheets, the year of issue, and a special scroll with the series and the number of notes in the sheet.