Lev
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Missing image 100BGNf.JPG 2003 Bulgaria 100 levs bill. Obverse. Photo courtesy of Bulgarian National Bank ([1] (http://www.bnb.bg)) |
Missing image 100BGNb.JPG 2003 Bulgaria 100 levs bill. Reverse.Photo courtesy of Bulgarian National Bank ([2] (http://www.bnb.bg)) |
![1 lev coin.Photo courtesy of ([3] (http://www.bnb.bg))](/encyclopedia/index.php/Image:1lev.JPG) |
Missing image BG50st.JPG |
The Lev (lv) (Bulgarian: лев) is the currency of Bulgaria, and it has been used since 1881. Its smaller unit is called stotinka (plural - stotinki), and 100 stotinki are of the same value as one lev. In the 19th century Bulgarian language the name meant 'lion' (akin to the Romanian and Moldovan lei; the word has since changed to 'лъв' ('luv')).
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Bulgarian Lev is BGN. On July 5, 1999 the lev was revalued at the rate of 1,000 old Lev for 1 new Lev. The code for the old Lev was BGL.
The exchange rate of the Bulgarian Lev is fixed to 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR (1BGL = 1 DEM). Bulgaria has a system of currency board, where all local currency in circulation is backed 100% by the foreign exchange reserves of the central bank.
The Lev is expected to be replaced by the Euro in 2007, when Bulgaria will become a member of the European Union.
External links
- Bulgarian National Bank (http://www.bnb.bg)
- Bulgarian Notes and Coins in Circulation (http://www.bnb.bg/bnb/home.nsf/fsWebIndex)
- Convert Current exchange rate: lev per US$ (http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=USD&to=BGN&submit=)
- Convert Current exchange rate: lev per EUR (http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=EUR&to=BGN&submit=)Template:PreEuroCurrencies
bg:Лев de:Lew fr:Lev ja:レフ nl:Lev ro:Lev bulgar ru:Лев (валюта)