Illustrated Specimen Details: 200 Lei (Kingdom of Romania)
Example Specimen: 200 lei, 1942 — Kingdom of Romania (Michael I)
Historical Significance: This silver coin was minted during the reign of Michael I (Mihai I), who served as the King of Romania during two distinct periods: 1927-1930 and 1940-1947. Struck at the Bucharest Mint (Monetăria Statului), the coin features the middle coat of arms of the Kingdom of Romania as it appeared between 1921-1947. On its edge, the coin bears the Latin motto of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen royal house: NIHIL SINE DEO (Nothing without God), which served as the national motto for both the Principality and the Kingdom of Romania.
Technical Details: The obverse presents the portrait of the young King Michael I, with the engraver's signature H.IONESCU positioned discreetly below. With a mintage of over 30 million pieces, this issue represents one of the most significant silver denominations of the Romanian monarchy during World War II.
Denomination: 200 lei
Date: 1942
Metal: Silver (0.835)
Weight: 6 g | Diameter: 24 mm
Estimated value: 5$
DENOMINATION GUIDE — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
- ROMANIA (1870-present): Covering the Kingdom, Socialist, and modern eras. 1 leu = 100 bani.
- MOLDOVA (1992-present): Introduced after gaining independence. 1 leu = 100 bani.
The leu remains one of Eastern Europe's most enduring currency names, surviving through monarchic, socialist, and modern democratic systems.
Etymology: The Lion of the North
The name leu literally translates to "lion" in Romanian. Its origins are not native, but rather derived from a 16th-century Dutch silver coin known as the leeuwendaalder (lion thaler). This coin, which featured a prominent image of a lion, became so widespread in international trade that it influenced the names of several national currencies. While the name "leu" became established in Romanian and Moldovan territories, the neighboring Bulgarians adopted the same root for their currency, the lev.
Historical Evolution and the 1867 Reform
The leu was officially established as the national currency of Romania in 1867, modeled after the Latin Monetary Union. This reform standardized the leu as a decimal currency divided into 100 bani. Since then, the leu has reflected the turbulent political history of the region, from the high-art silver issues of the monarchy to the base-metal industrial designs of the socialist period and the modern polymer banknotes of today.
Numismatic Value and Rarity
For collectors, the Romanian leu offers a wide spectrum of possibilities. Early silver issues from the era of King Carol I (1867-1900) and interwar gold coins are highly prized for their artistic quality and historical value. Conversely, the hyperinflationary periods of the late 20th century produced massive quantities of banknotes and coins that serve as a stark reminder of economic transitions.
Key Point
The leu is more than just a currency; it is a symbol of sovereignty that traces its lineage back to global maritime trade coins, successfully adapting to every political shift in Romanian history for over 150 years.
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