10 Stotinki - Alexander I Pattern

Bulgaria's first coinage was struck in 1879 following the Liberation from Ottoman rule, with patterns produced in multiple metals and sizes to test designs before the official series was approved. This copper pattern for the 10 Stotinki was never adopted — the circulating issue was struck in bronze at a smaller module, and production was contracted to the Birmingham Mint rather than a Bulgarian facility, as the new principality had no mint of its own.

Prince Alexander I had been on the throne less than a year when these patterns were evaluated. The oversize copper trials were likely produced for submission to the Bulgarian monetary commission in 1879.