Bulgaria Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in Bulgaria is a fascinating journey through the economic and cultural evolution of the country. From the first issues to the current banknotes, Bulgarian banknotes reflect the political and social changes that the nation has undergone over the years.

Current banknotes in circulation

The current Bulgarian banknotes are denominated in leva and were introduced in 1999. The current series includes denominations of 2, 5, 10, 10, 20, 50 and 100 leva. These banknotes feature portraits of important historical figures of Bulgaria, such as Ivan Rilski, Ivan Milev and Petar Beron. The design incorporates advanced security features, such as holograms and watermarks, to prevent counterfeiting.

Historical banknotes and milestones

The first Bulgarian banknotes were issued in 1885, shortly after the country's independence from the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the 20th century, Bulgaria underwent several changes to its currency, including the introduction of the socialist lev in 1952. A significant milestone was the hyperinflation of 1996-1997, which led to the issuance of high-denomination banknotes, including a 50,000 leva bill. This economic crisis culminated in the 1999 currency reform, which established the current system of banknotes and coins.