Pursuant to Law No. 312/2004-The NBR Act, the National Bank of Romania will issue starting 31 March 2006 a gold coin, a silver coin and a copper-plated brass coin with face values of RON 50, RON 5 and RON 1 respectively, celebrating "140 years since the establishment of the Romanian Academy".
Characteristics of the coins
Gold coin:
- face value: RON 50;
- shape: round;
- fineness: 900/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 6.452 grams;
- diameter: 21 mm;
- edge: smooth.
Silver coin:
- face value: RON 5;
- shape: round;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 31.103 grams;
- diameter: 37 mm;
- edge: smooth.
Copper-plated brass coin:
- face value: RON 1;
- shape: round;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 23.5 grams;
- diameter: 37 mm;
- edge: smooth.
The design of the obverse and of the reverse is common for all three types of metal.
The obverse is divided in two. The left part shows, on a frosted background, the image of the Thinker from Hamangia, a world-famous Neolithic clay figurine, the symbol of thought, as a common element over the ages of all civilizations. The right part features the coat of arms of Romania, the year of issue - "2006" - and the face values of "50 LEI" for the gold coin, "5 LEI" for the silver coin and "1 LEU" for the copper plated-brass coin. The inscription "ROMÂNIA" tracks the arc of the circle on the upper part of the coin.
The reverse is also divided in two, a frosted side and a shiny one. The center depicts the image of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, representing the emblem of the Romanian Academy, framed by the anniversary years "1866" and "2006". The inscriptions "ACADEMIA ROMANA" (Romanian Academy) and "140 ANI DE LA INFIINTARE" (140 years since the establishment) are engraved, separated by groups of 5 pearls, on the outer circle of the coin.
The gold, silver, and copper-plated brass coins are embedded in transparent plastic capsules and are accompanied by an authentication certificate (in Romanian and English) bearing the signature of both the Governor and the Head Cashier, as well as by a leaflet.
The issue consists of 570 coins, of which 35 gold coins, 35 copper-plated brass coins and 500 silver coins. The prices are the following: RON 850 for the gold coin, RON 110 for the silver coin and RON 45 for the copper-plated brass coin.
The coins will be sold in adequate cases. The price does not include that of the case and the VAT (19 percent).
The gold, silver and copper-plated brass coins of the issue celebrating "140 years since the establishment of the Romanian Academy" are legal tender in Romania.
The design of the coins is protected by registration with the State Office of Trademarks in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.
The coins of the issue "140 years since the establishment of the Romanian Academy" will be put into circulation for numismatic purposes through the Bucharest, Cluj, Iaşi, and Timiş branches of the National Bank of Romania.