Bulgarian National Bank
20 Leva · Commemorative Issue, 120th Anniversary of the Bulgarian Lev · 2005
Historical and Issue Context
A tribute to Bulgaria's first banknote:The reverse is an exact replica of the reverse of the first Bulgarian banknote, the 20 Leva Zlato of 1885, and the obverse imitates the geometric background networks of that original issue, closing the circle between the birth of the Lev and its 120th anniversary.
A hybrid step toward polymer:Instead of a full conversion like that in countries like Brunei or Malaysia, the BNB opted to incorporate a strip of transparent polymer on a base of traditional security paper —a rare hybrid format that served as a test bed for the technology before eventual wider adoption.
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:Elements of the historic facade of the Bulgarian National Bank building, the official emblem of the bank and multicolored geometric background networks in the style of the first Bulgarian banknotes of 1885.
- Reverse:replica of the reverse of the original 1885 20 Leva Zlato banknote, with a detailed reproduction of the seated sculpture of Duchess Sevastokratoritsa Desislava from Boyana Church.
- Polymer strip:Transparent plastic vertical band integrated into the left side of the hybrid substrate, with complex optical effects when illuminated.
- OVD metal shield:three-dimensional glossy patch with the “БНБ” logo and the number “20”, which changes color depending on the angle of the light.
- Commemorative microprint:continuous microtext “120 ГОДИНИ БЪЛГАРСКА ЛЕВА” (120 Years of the Bulgarian Lev) in the security background.
- Perfect registration:The stylized numeral “20” is precisely completed when both sides overlap.
- Dual Numbering:double serial number in black ink (“AA 0054111”) —a standard upper right horizontal block and another lower left, smaller size and different symmetrical axis, for accounting control.
- Color:violet, purple and multicolored blue/ocher undertones.
Notes
1. Numista, “Bulgaria P#121”,en.numista.com/catalogue/note202309.html: listed as a hybrid substrate banknote with polymer stripe, the first in Bulgaria to incorporate this material.
2. Banknote World, “Bulgaria 20 Leva Banknote, 2005, P-121”: issued on September 15, 2005 to commemorate the 120° anniversary of the issuance of the Bulgarian Lev.
3. Catalog cross-reference: Pick n.° 121 (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money) and B230 (The Banknote Book, Owen Linzmayer).
