Bulgarian euro coins will 'speak' of national history and spirituality

published on 7/14/25 4:56 PM

Photo: BNB

From 1 January 2026, Bulgaria will join the Eurozone, and the lev and stotinki will become a thing of the past. While the new currency will have a different appearance, it will preserve familiar symbols and images. The designs of the Bulgarian euro coins have already been approved by the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) and the European Commission, and the selected motifs reflect the country’s history and spirituality.

As the BNB has emphasised, keeping images that people recognise will both make it easier for them to accept the new currency and strengthen Bulgaria’s presence in Europe. After all, money is not just a means of exchange; it also carries cultural messages.

The two sides of a coin – European unity and Bulgarian identity

All coins in the eurozone have two distinct sides: a common side and a national side. The common side was created by Belgian designer Luc Luycx from the Royal Mint of Belgium and depicts the European Union or the continent of Europe, emphasising the unity of the EU.

At the same time, each member state has the right to determine the design of the national side of its euro coins. The mandatory symbols on the Bulgarian euro coins will include the circle of 12 EU stars, as well as the word “БЪЛГАРИЯ” in Cyrillic. All coins will bear the year “2026,” marking Bulgaria’s official transition to the euro.

What will the new Bulgarian euro coins look like?

The design was created by the team at the Bulgarian Mint, which will also be responsible for minting the coins. And if we look more closely, we will find familiar yet powerful images on the new currency:

The €2 coin will feature the Bulgarian national enlightener and cleric St. Paisius of Hilendar, and its edge will be inscribed in capital letters with the words “БОЖЕ ПАЗИ БЪЛГАРИЯ” (“GOD PROTECT BULGARIA”). This inscription first appeared on newly minted coins after the Liberation, expressing Bulgarians’ desire to preserve their homeland.

St Ivan Rilski, the heavenly protector of the Bulgarian people, will appear on the €1 coin — a choice that at once evokes mercy and protection, while also expressing the aspiration to preserve Bulgarian identity within a multicultural setting.

Lower Denominations to Feature the Madara Rider

The smaller denominations – from 1 to 50 euro cents – will feature the Madara Horseman, a motif already familiar from current Bulgarian coins. In this way, even the smallest euro cent will “speak” in Cyrillic, serving as a reminder that while we are part of Europe, we retain our distinct Bulgarian identity.

No surprises with euro banknotes!

The production of euro banknotes is managed by the European Central Bank (ECB) in cooperation with the national central banks. Bulgaria will also print banknotes, and the required quantities for the transition period will be prepared well in advance of 1 January.

However, national elements will not appear on the paper currency. The design will follow the established ECB aesthetic, featuring bridges, windows, and doorways from various architectural periods – symbols of dialogue, openness, and connection.

Let’s not forget that Bulgaria is already represented in some issues through the word “ЕВРО” in Cyrillic, which reflects our EU accession in 2007.

What will happen to the lev and stotinki?

Just one Bulgarian 2-lev coin weighs 8.5 grams. Multiply that by tens of millions of coins, and you’re looking at hundreds of tonnes of metal! According to BNB’s chief cashier Stefan Tsvetkov, withdrawing the stotinki from circulation would require 378 lorries – enough to form a convoy 6.8 kilometres long. Meanwhile, Bulgarian banknotes weigh a total of 642 tonnes, or 32 lorry loads. If placed end to end, they would stretch the length of five football pitches!

After the official introduction of the euro, the lev and stotinki will remain legal tender for a transitional period of one month. After that, they can be exchanged at the Bulgarian National Bank free of charge and at any time.

Replacement or Continuation?

Analysts say the transition to the euro is not so much a loss of identity as a test of how resilient it is. When a country joins a new economic community, it may either lose some of its distinctiveness or manage to maintain it. Bulgaria appears to be aiming for the latter. In an era where symbols often fade, the country seeks to preserve its mark — not just historically, but also in the everyday lives and minds of its people.