Another huge Bulgarian silver coin

[ghipszky]

I shined it up and it has that mirror finish the proof should have.
Is 0.900% good?
Ginger

[Figleaf]

Congratulations on discovering the proof finish. To prevent new goo from forming, don't keep it in paper, young wood or artificial fiber or plastic containing softener. A modern coin card would be fine.

Silver content is not very important, unless you want to have the piece melted down. Some often used standards are:

• 0.925 or sterling pretty pure but too soft for coins; used prmarily in jewelry
• 0.916 hard enough for coinage, pretty high standard
• 0.833 high standard for coins
• 0.500 used on the last silver coins, pretty low

The date 681 refers to what the Bulgarians think of as the beginning their country under Asparukh. The date 1944 refers to the beginning of communist rule. By comparing themselves to Asparukh, the communist sought legitimacy. Instead, the people's republic of Bulgaria ceased to exist in 1989.

Peter

[ghipszky]

What is it now, a country?
Ginger

[Figleaf]

Sure. It is a member of the European Union and it will one day introduce the euro.

Peter

[ghipszky]

Nevermind I understand now.
Ginger

[translateltd]

What is it now, a country?
Ginger

It went from being a "People's Republic" to a pain old (or new) "Republic", like most of the countries in the former Soviet bloc.

[chrisild]

It went from being a "People's Republic" to a pain old (or new) "Republic"

Sometimes typos can be quite amusing. To a _what_?

The current circulation coins from Bulgaria, by the way, simply have the short country name ("БЪЛГАРИЯ"). Note that the collector coins show the name and the seal of the central bank. As for Bulgaria introducing the euro, oh well. But the "new lev" (since 1999) has a fixed euro exchange rate.

Christian

[translateltd]

Sometimes typos can be quite amusing. To a _what_?

Peter's right (reply no. 7) - I must be getting worn out.  Down to aG-3 and fading still further.  I had to read my last posting about three times before I spotted the typo, even with your careful pointer.

Typos can be a real plain sometimes.

[Zantetsuken]

Here is my other 40mm diameter Bulgarian coin.
Ginger

Nice coin 'ghipszky'. Bulgaria had some very interesting coins, as well as a long and colorful history. I like the pattern on the reverse of this one. It certainly fit the Olympic motif with the men fighting on the ancient coin symbol. I don't ever recall seeing this one before. Thanks for sharing.

~Daniel

[ghipszky]

Thank you Daniel. It really is an amazing coin and beautiful in hand. I was very lucky to get it.
Ginger