1011) Pope Francis' visit to Romania (31.05.2019 - 02.06.19): celebrated with a 500 Lei Gold & Aluminium-Zinc 50 Bani Collector Coins and a 50 Bani Circulation Coin:

1011) Pope Francis' visit to Romania (31.05.2019 - 02.06.19): celebrated with a 500 Lei Gold  &  Aluminium-Zinc 50 Bani Collector Coins and a 50 Bani Circulation Coin:

Links to some posts on Romanian currency and philately on this Blog:

1) Banknotes of Romania: Leu (Lei) and Ban (Bani)

2) Marine Landscapes in Painting: A set of four Stamps based on selected paintings by renowned Romanian Painters brought out by "Romfilatelia" on 07.07.2017

3) Wild Orchids found in Romania: A set of four Stamps on Orchids issued on 25.01.2017

4) Berries: A set of four stamps covering berries found in Romania, brought out by Romafilatelia on 20.09.2017

5) Romania's Centenary Anniversary of the Great Union of 01.12.1918: A 100 Lei Commemorative Banknote issued by the Banca Nationala'a Romaniei (Central Bank of Romania) on 01.12.2018

6) Pope Francis' visit to Romania (31.05.2019-02.06.2019: celebrated with 500 Lei Gold & Aluminium-Zinc 50 Bani Collector Coins and a 50 Bani Circulation Coin

The Banca Nationala a' Romanie (National Bank of Romania) is celebrating Pope Francis' historic visit to Romania from 31.05.2019 - 02.06.2019, with the issue of a Gold 500 Lei and an Aluminium-Zinc 50 Bani Collector Coins and a brass Circulation Coin.

The Obverse and Reverses of the two Collector Coins - 500 Lei Gold Coin & 50 Bani Aluminium-Zinc Coin shown side-by-side in this Coin Card by the National Bank of Romania

This is the second visit of a Pope to Romania, the first being that of Pope John Paul II, exactly 20 years ago, a little after the restoration of democracy to Romania.

The visit follows an official invitation by the State Authorities and the Romanian Catholic Church. 

The Papal (or Apostolic) three-day visit includes the Pope's official itinerary -  visits to the capital Bucharest, Iasi, Blaj in Transylvania and to the Marian Shrine/sanctuary of Sumuleu Ciuc on the outskirts of Miercurea Ciuc City.

The motto of the visit is "Lets walk together", as the visit's official logo is designed in blue and gold and depicts a group of Romanians walking beneath an image of Our Lady, which according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, evokes the Virgin Mary's care and protection of the Romanian people.

Romania is often called "the garden of the Mother of God", a phrase which was used by Pope Saint John Paul II during his Apostolic journey to Romania.

The Commemorative Coins:

500 Lei Gold  Collector Coin:

The Monetana Statului mints Gold Proof Quality Coins at their facilities in Bucharest on behalf of the National Bank of Romania.

The Reverse of the 500 Lei Gold Coin depicts the specific places of worship which the Pope is scheduled to visit and the names of the  cities where they are located. These include St. Joseph's Cathedral - BUCARESTI, Marian Shrine - SUMULEU CIUC, Holy Trinity Cathedral - BLAJ, Our Lady Queen Cathedral - IASI.

The name of the issuing country "ROMANIA" is engraved on the upper left periphery, the year of issue "2019" is on the upper right periphery. The Coat of Arms of Romania is seen above the depiction of the Cathedral in Iasi. The denominational value of the Coin "500 Lei" is seen on the lower periphery.

The Obverse of the 500 Lei Gold  Coin shows a portrait of Pope Francis, his right hand lifted in a symbolic gesture of blessing the onlookers/well-wishers and the faithful. Besides the portrait is the official crest of the Vatican city state. 

On the outer periphery is the inscription "VISITA APOSTOLICA A SANCTITATII SALE PAPA FRANCISC IN ROMANIA - 31 MAI -2 JUNIE". On the inner periphery is the text - "SA MERGEM IMPREUNA" (meaning "Let's Walk Together".

The specifications of this Coin are:

Denomination: 500 Lei; Metal Composition: .999 Gold; Weight: 31.1 grams or 1 Oz; Diameter: 35.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 500 pieces.

50 Bani Aluminium-Zinc Collector Coin:

The Obverse and Reverse of the 50 Bani Coin placed together

The Reverse of the 50 Bani Aluminium-Zinc Coin shows the same design elements os the Reverse of the Gold 500 Lei Coin and is identical, except for the denominational value "50 BANI".

The Obverse of the 50 Bani Aluminium-Zinc coin is identical to the Obverse of the Gold 500 Lei Coin and exhibits the same design elements.

The specifications of the 50 Bani Coin are:

Denomination: 50 Bani; Metal Composition: Aluminium Zinc; Weight: 6.1 grams; Diameter: 23.7 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 10,000 pieces.

Brass (Aluminium-Zinc) Circulation Coins:

In addition 1 million Brass Circulation Coins with a face value of 50 Bani, will also be released into general circulation.

The Gold and Brass Collector Coins will be released through the regional branches of BNR in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi and Timisoara against cash payments to the Bank or the State Treasury.