Pursuant to the provisions of Law No. 312/2004 - The Statute of the NBR, starting 11 December 2006, the National Bank of Romania is to launch a silver coin with face value of RON 5 dedicated to the designation of Sibiu as the European Capital of Culture in 2007.
Characteristics of the coin:
- shape: round;
- fineness: 999/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 31.103 grams;
- diameter: 37 mm;
- edge: ridged.
Obverse: on the left side, two of the city towers in Cetăţii Street of Sibiu and the fortress wall connecting them, the Carpenters' Tower in the foreground and the Potters' Tower in the background; to the right, Romania's coat of arms, and near the frame the circular inscription "ROMANIA"; in the upper part, the face value "5 LEI".
Reverse: in the lower half, the city of Sibiu's logo, to its left the two-row inscription "SIBIU 2007", to the right of the city's logo the three-row inscription "CAPITALA CULTURALA EUROPEANA"; in the upper half, Sibiu's four outstanding edifices: the Brukenthal Museum, the City Hall's Tower and an annex building, the House of Arts and the Luxembourg House; in the upper part, the Făgăraş Mountains.
Each silver coin is encapsulated in transparent plastic cases and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity (in Romanian and English) bearing the signature of both Governor and Head Cashier, as well as by a prospectus.
The issue of 500 coins is to be sold at a price of RON 125 per coin (VAT excluded), and does not include the cost of the case.
The silver coins dedicated to the designation of Sibiu as the European Capital of Culture in 2007 are legal tender in Romania.
The design of the coins is protected by registration with the State Office of Trademarks in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.
The National Bank of Romania branches in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iaşi and Timişoara are in charge of putting into circulation for numismatic purposes the issue dedicated to the designation of Sibiu as the European Capital of Culture in 2007.