In virtue of Law No. 101/1998-The NBR Act and of the Romanian Government Ordinance No. 45/1998, as 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 shall put into circulation starting 22 December 2003, a silver coin with face value ROL 500 celebrating the centennial of the establishment of the Romanian Numismatic Society.
Characteristics of the coins are:
- shape: round;
- metal: silver;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 31.103 grams;
- edge: smooth;
- diameter: 37 mm.
The obverse. On the left side, the representation of the horn of plenty, symbol of the Romanian numismatics. Flowing out of the horn are some coins that circulated on the Romanian territory from ancient times to present days. The image depicts two Hystrian coins, one Roman coin portraying emperor Traian, one Dacian coin, and two coins with face value of one Leu minted in 1914 and 1993. Romania's coat-of-arms and the inscription "ROMANIA" as well as the year of issue "2003" are engraved on the right side. The face value "500 LEI" is inscribed circularly on the lower part.
The reverse features the effigy of the Romanian Numismatic Society (the head of the goddess Minerva with a shield and a burning torch). The inscription "CENTENARUL SOCIETĂŢII NUMISMATICE ROMÂNE" is engraved circularly.
The years "1903-2003" marking the anniversary period are engraved on the lower part, between two rhombic and vegetal adornments.
The silver coins encapsulated in transparent plastic cases are accompanied by authentication certificates (in Romanian and English) bearing the signature of both the Governor and the Head Cashier, as well as by a prospectus.
The issue to be sold at the price of ROL 760,000/piece both on the domestic and the foreign markets comprises 1,000 coins.
Upon request, the coins may come in suitable cases, which are not included in the price.
The silver coins issued by the National Bank of Romania may be purchased by natural or legal entities for numismatic purposes pursuant to Art. 2 of Ordinance No. 45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania and approved by Law No. 244/1998.
The silver coins celebrating the centennial of the establishment of the Romanian Numismatic Society are legal tender in Romania.
The design of the coins is protected by registration with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.