1 Ban - Carol I

1888 year


Bronze	1.000 g	15.00 mm

Description

Issuer	Romania
King	Carol I (1881-1914)
Type	Non-circulating coin
Year	1888
Value	1 Banu (0.01)
Currency	First leu (1867-1947)
Composition	Bronze
Weight	1.000 g
Diameter	15.00 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized	1914
Updated	2024-10-07

References

Numista	N#73710
Rarity index	90%

Reverse

Script: Latin

Lettering:
18 88
NIHIL SINE DEO
1 BAN

Translation: Nothing without God

Engraver: Friedrich Wilhelm Kullrich

Comment

The first issues of these pieces is, according to Romanian banknote and Coin monograph (g. Mace, Luchian o., Obinna, Editura Sport-Turism, Bucureşti, 1977) of 500 copies. The pieces would have been distributed to some PROMS organized by the Royal House, for shaking hands for some charity actions. Such a currency could be getting 1 penny for the sum of 20 lei. It seems that there is also a Variant: 1 ban 1888 gilded. Of course that 1 may be considered as ban 1888 coin-coin special, and not only because he was beaten from the Mint State. The situation of this piece it's similar to that of the coins of homage, are sold by NBR at prices much higher than the face value (50-100 times larger), and does not enter into monetary circulation (although, theoretically, could be used for payments).

Interesting fact

The 1 Ban - Carol I 1888 coin from Romania was designed by the artist Ion Georgescu, who was a well-known sculptor and engraver at the time. The coin features a portrait of King Carol I on one side and the Romanian coat of arms on the other. It was minted to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Carol I's reign and was produced in a limited quantity, making it a rare and valuable collector's item.