In virtue of Law 101/1998 - The NBR Act and Ordinance No. 45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania, as approved by Law No. 244/1998 vesting the NBR with the power to put in circulation numismatic coins made of precious metals, the National Bank of Romania shall issue, as from 11 March 2002, one gold coin with face value of ROL 5,000 on The 150th Anniversary of the Birth of the Playwright and Writer Ion Luca Caragiale.
The features of the coin are the following:
- shape: round;
- type of metal: gold;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 31.103 grams;
- edge: flat;
- diameter: 35 mm;
- year of issue: 2002.
The obverse of the coin features the face value of ROL 5,000, the inscription "ROMANIA", the coats-of-arms of Romania and the year of issue - 2002. The inscription "ROMANIA" written with capitals is engraved circularly. Beneath is the graphical composition that stands for the theatre, i.e. the superposition of the masks of comedy and tragedy on a stylised backdrop, with the playwright's facsimile signature next to it.
The playwright Ion Luca Caragiale is portrayed on the reverse. "150 ANI DE LA NASTEREA LUI ION LUCA CARAGIALE" (THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE PLAYWRIGHT AND WRITER ION LUCA CARAGIALE), separated by a rhombic ornament, is engraved circularly. The year of birth and that of death, 1852 and 1912 respectively, are embossed on the two sides of the portrait.
The gold coins are encapsulated in transparent plastic cases, and are accompanied by authentication certificates (in Romanian and English), bearing serial numbers and the signature of both the Governor and the Head Cashier of the National Bank of Romania, as well as by a prospectus.
The 250 coins are to be sold both on domestic and foreign markets.
For numismatic purposes, the gold coins issued by the National Bank of Romania may be purchased by individuals or corporate entities, and either held or exchanged by observing the provisions of Art. 2 of Ordinance No. 45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania and approved by Law No. 244/1998.
The gold coins with face value of ROL 5,000 - year of issue 2002 - on The 150th Anniversary of the Birth of the Playwright and Writer Ion Luca Caragiale are legal tender in Romania.
The design of the coins is protected by registration with the State Office of Trademarks (OSIM) in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.
The branches of the National Bank of Romania are in charge of putting into circulation the gold coins for numismatic purposes.
The gold coins cost ROL 15,075,000 each.