In virtue of Law 101/1998 - The NBR Act and Ordinance No. 45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania and approved by Law No. 244/1998 on vesting the NBR with the power to put in circulation numismatic coins made of precious metals, the National Bank of Romania will issue, starting 20 December 2001, four gold coins with face value of ROL 500, in the series "History of Gold - The Pietroasa Hoard", also known as "The Brood Hen with Golden Chicken".
The characteristics of the coins are the following:
- shape: octagonal;
- type of metal: gold;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 6.22 grams;
- edge: flat;
- side of octagon: 9 mm;
- radius of circumscribed circle: 11.75 mm;
- year of issue: 2001.
The obverse is the same for all four coins, with a round inset featuring Romania's coat-of-arms. The latter is encircled by a double sinusoid inspired by the floral pattern adorning the interior of "Large Rounded Tray" (a very valuable piece included in "The Pietroasa Hoard"). The inscription "ROMANIA" is engraved circularly, around the inset, on the upper part; the face value of "LEI 500" is inscribed on the lower part. The year of issue "2001" is engraved horizontally, on both sides of the round inset.
The reverse features, in the centre, the graphical presentation of four of the most beautiful pieces of "The Pietroasa Hoard", i.e. "Large fibula" (the brood hen), "Medium-sized fibulas" (the chicken), "Dodecagon-shaped pot", "Oenochoe pot", as well as the inscription "The Pietroasa Hoard" engraved on all four coins.
The four coins making up the issue "The Pietroasa Hoard" are encapsulated in transparent methacrylate cases and shall be sold only in sets packed in adequate wooden boxes. Each shall be accompanied by authentication certificates (in Romanian and English), bearing serial numbers and the signature of both the Governor and the Head Cashier, as well as by a prospectus.
The 250 sets of coins are to be sold both on domestic and foreign markets.
For numismatic purposes, the gold coins issued by the National Bank of Romania may be purchased, held and exchanged by individual or corporate entities pursuant to Art. 2 of Ordinance No. 45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania and approved by Law No. 244/1998.
The gold coins with face value of ROL 500 - year of issue 2001, in the series "History of Gold - The Pietroasa Hoard" - are legal tender in Romania.
The design of the coins is protected by registration with the State Office of Trademarks (OSIM) in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.
The branches of the National Bank of Romania are in charge of putting into circulation the gold coins for numismatic purposes.