Sofia, July 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: In a historic move marking Bulgaria’s transition to the euro, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has announced it will begin issuing commemorative coins in euros starting in 2026. This milestone is outlined in the BNB’s latest Monetary Program and comes in preparation for Bulgaria’s planned eurozone accession in January 2026.
The inaugural release in January 2026 will feature the gold coin “St. Virgin Mary – Golden Apple,” part of the BNB’s long-running “Christianity” series. The coin will be available in 10, 20, 50, and 100-euro denominations, marking the first time the central bank mints gold coins in the European currency.
That same month, the BNB will issue a 10-euro silver coin commemorating 125 Years of Electric Trams in Bulgaria, celebrating the nation’s transport history.
Additional releases scheduled for 2026 include:
- March: A 2-euro copper coin honoring the 150th anniversary of Krastyo Sarafov, the renowned Bulgarian stage actor and national cultural figure.
- April: A 10-euro silver coin dedicated to the Preobrazhenski (Transfiguration) Monastery, a major Bulgarian Orthodox landmark.
- October: A 100-euro gold coin in tribute to St. Ivan Rilski (St. John of Rila), Bulgaria’s patron saint, concluding the year’s commemorative lineup.
Looking ahead to 2027, the BNB plans to issue six commemorative coins, including:
- Two gold coins: “St. Martyrs Faith, Hope and Love and their Mother Sophia” and a new edition of “St. Virgin Mary – Golden Apple.”
- Three silver coins and one copper coin, with details to be announced closer to the release dates.
In 2028, the bank aims to introduce five new commemorative coins: four in silver and one in copper.
The upcoming euro coin series has sparked significant interest among numismatists, collectors, and those celebrating Bulgaria’s integration into the euro area, blending national heritage with European currency for the first time.
