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500 Lei Bishopric of Râmnic - Pattern
| Issuer | National Bank of Romania |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
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| Composition | Brass |
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| Obverse description | At the top of the obverse, Romania's coat of arms is displayed prominently above the face value inscription '500 LEI' and the circular legend 'ROMANIA'. The central field features a three-line commemorative motto, 'SFANTA EPISCOPIE A RAMNICULUI CTITORITA SUB RADU CEL MARE (1495-1508)', flanked on either side by Christian symbols — a fish and the Christogram — as well as the mitre of the Bishopric of Râmnic, all separated by decorative ornaments. The date of issue '2003' appears in the lower field. |
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| Reverse description | The reverse displays the heraldic coat of arms of the Bishopric of Râmnic in the central field. Encircling the design between two cross ornaments, a peripheral legend reads '500 ANI DE LA INFIINTAREA EPISCOPIEI RAMNICULUI', commemorating the 500th anniversary of the bishopric's founding, accompanied by the date range '1503-2003' also rendered in the circular inscription. |
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| Additional information |
This brass pattern was produced in 2003 as part of Romania's broader commemorative and experimental coinage program run through the National Bank, exploring denominations and themes that never reached circulation. The Bishopric of Râmnic — formally the Diocese of Râmnicu Vâlcea — is one of the oldest ecclesiastical institutions in Wallachia, with roots traceable to the late 14th century and a printing house that issued some of the earliest Romanian-language religious texts in the 17th century under Bishop Antim Ivireanul's broader cultural influence in the region.
Patterns catalogued under Stamb#P583.1 exist in very limited numbers, struck as proofs of concept rather than for any public release.