Numismatic issue - a silver medal dedicated to the celebration of 55 years from establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
23.03.2004
The National Bank of Romania shall issue starting 24 March 2004 a silver medal dedicated to the celebration of "55 years from establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)".
Characteristics of the medal are the following:
- shape: round;
- metal: silver,
- fineness: 800/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 27 grams;
- edge: smooth;
- diameter: 35 mm.
The obverse displays Romania's coat-of-arms and the Triumphal Arch in Bucharest in the centre, overlapping the map of Romania. The inscriptions "ROMÂNIA MEMBRU NATO" and "BRUXELLES 2 APRILIE 2004" are placed horizontally, one beneath the other, on the left side of the medal. The relevant years "1990 - 1994 - 2004", marking the relationship between Romania and NATO, are engraved circularly on the lower part.
The reverse shows in the centre a symbolic composition featuring NATO's logo sustained in the lower part by two olive branches (symbol of peace guaranteed by the organisation) and the relevant years "1949 - 1952 - 1955 - 1982 - 1999 - 2004" placed semicircularly (the first year is that of the establishment of the organisation, and the others the years when new members joined the organisation). The symbolic composition is surrounded by a circle made up of 26 stars, the number of NATO member states (including the 7 countries to join NATO on 2 April 2004). The inscriptions "NATO 55 YEARS - EURO ATLANTIC TRADITIONS" and "OTAN 55 ANEES - TRADITIONS EURO ATLANTIQUES" are engraved circularly.
The numismatic issue of 500 medals is to be sold both on domestic and foreign markets.
The silver medals will be sold by the branches of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest, Cluj, Iaşi and Timişoara and is priced at ROL 450,000 per medal. The price does not include the box and the value added tax of 19 percent.
Each medal is accompanied by an authentication certificate (in Romanian and English) bearing the signature of both the Governor and the Head Cashier.
The cost of the capsules and of the authentication certificate is contained in the above mentioned sales price.
The medals are encased in transparent plastic capsules and is sold in boxes bearing the NBR's logo on the cover.
The design of the pieces is protected by registration with the Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.