The Most Expensive: Coins and Medals from Bulgaria
Today, our record section takes us to Bulgaria. We present the most expensive coins and medals of the country, which became a widely autonomous principality of the Ottoman Empire in 1878 and eventually an independent tsardom in 1908. The first place was only sold recently and is by far the most expensive coin in our ranking…
As always, only the most expensive specimen of every coin type is shown in the list to avoid repetitions.
Top 10: 17,500 euros
Boris III: 1925 2 leva pattern, Poissy mint. NGC MS66. From cgb.fr Live Auction June 2021 (2021), No. 520.
Top 9: 18,000 euros
Ferdinand I: Gold commemorative medal by A. Scharff for his wedding with Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma in 1893. Proof, with ribbon, with crown. Probably from the estate of Princess Marie Louise of Bulgaria. From Künker auction 395 (2023), No. 322.
Top 8: 19,000 euros
Ferdinand I: 1888 20 stotinka pattern, Brussels mint. “Possibly unique! About UNC.” From Mach & Chlapovič auction 5 (2013), No. 405.
Top 7: 20,000 euros
Ferdinand I: Gold medal by A. Scharff, for his wedding with Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma in 1893. Extremely fine, RR From La Galerie Numismatique auction 25 (2015), No. 315.
Top 6: 20,400 euros
Ferdinand I: 1894 5 leva, Proof. Kremnica mint. NGC PF67. “Of the highest rarity and the only proof of this date ever certified by NGC.” From CNG & St. James auction 29 (2014), No. 58.
Top 5: 21,500 euros
Ferdinand I: 1892 5 leva, Kremnica mint. PCGS-MS64. From Auction World auction 27 (2022), No. 3073.
Top 4: 22,300 euros
Ferdinand I: 1912 100 leva, Kremnica mint. NGC MS63+ Deep Prooflike. Mintage figure 5,000 specimens. From Heritage NYINC Signature Sale 3097 (2022), No, 30140.
Top 3: 25,400 euros
Ferdinand I: 1916 2 leva, Vienna or Kremnica mint. NGC MS64. “According to The Standard Catalog of World Coins, the 1916 date was withdrawn from circulation and destroyed. An uncertain amount remain.” From Stacks August 2021 ANA Auction (2021), No. 40090.
Top 2: 70,000 euros
Ferdinand I: 1894 100 leva, Kremnica mint. NGC MS60. From Aurora Numismatica auction 23 (2021), No. 278.
Top 1: 170,000 euros
Ferdinand I: Gold medal of 110 ducats commemorating the completion of the railroad line between Yambol and Burgas on 14 May 1890. Second known specimen. About FDC. From the estate of Tsar Ferdinand I. From Künker auction 395 (2023), No. 323.
