50 Bani – Romania
Circulating commemorative coins
Commemoration: The Apostolic journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to Romania
Romania
Obverse
Description:
Places of worship and their cities: St. Joseph’s Cathedral – BUCURESTI, Marian Shrine – SUMULEU CIUC, Holy Trinity Cathedral – BLAJ, Our Lady Queen Cathedral – IASI, to be visited by Pope Francis. Also featured: "ROMANIA", the year "2019", Romania's coat of arms, and face value "50 BANI".
Inscription:
ROMANIA 2019
BLAJ IASI
BUCURESTI SUMULEU CIUC
50 BANI
BLAJ IASI
BUCURESTI SUMULEU CIUC
50 BANI
Script: Latin
Reverse
Description:
Pope Francis's portrait and coat of arms, with the arc-shaped inscriptions: "VIZITA APOSTOLICA A SANCTITATII SALE PAPA FRANCISC IN ROMANIA", the dates "31 MAI–2 IUNIE", and the slogan "SA MERGEM IMPREUNA!".
Inscription:
VIZITA APOSTOLICA A SANCTITATII SALE PAPA FRANCISC IN ROMANIA
SA MERGEM IMPREUNA!
† 31 MAI - 2 IUNIE†
SA MERGEM IMPREUNA!
† 31 MAI - 2 IUNIE†
Translation:
APOSTOLIC VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO ROMANIA
LET US WALK TOGETHER!
† 31 MAY - 2 JUNE†
LET US WALK TOGETHER!
† 31 MAY - 2 JUNE†
Script: Latin
Edge
“ROMANIA” inscribed twice, with an asterisk separating the inscriptions
Legend:
ROMANIA * ROMANIA *
Categories
| Building> Religious building |
| Symbols> Coat of Arms |
| Person> Monarch |
| Person> Religious figure |
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| State Mint | — |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | — | 1,000,000 | ||
| 2019 | N | 10,000 | Proof |
Historical background
In 2019, Romania's currency situation was characterized by a period of relative stability for the Romanian Leu (RON) against the Euro, but within a context of persistent macroeconomic imbalances. The RON traded in a narrow band, around 4.7 to 4.8 RON per EUR for much of the year, supported by robust economic growth and attractive interest rates that drew foreign investment into government bonds. However, this stability was somewhat artificial, heavily managed by the National Bank of Romania (NBR), which intervened in the foreign exchange market to smooth volatility and prevent excessive depreciation.
Beneath this calm surface, significant pressures were building. The country was grappling with twin deficits—a substantial current account deficit, exceeding 4% of GDP, and a widening budget deficit, driven by increased public spending and tax cuts. This made the economy reliant on short-term capital inflows, leaving the currency vulnerable to shifts in global investor sentiment. Furthermore, political instability and concerns over fiscal discipline, including controversial emergency ordinances affecting the banking sector, periodically eroded investor confidence and put downward pressure on the Leu.
Consequently, the key theme of 2019 was the central bank's challenging balancing act. The NBR cautiously raised its benchmark interest rate to 2.50% by year-end to combat above-target inflation and support the currency, but it had to do so without stifling economic growth. The overall situation highlighted Romania's underlying vulnerabilities: strong consumption-driven GDP growth was being sustained at the cost of growing external and internal imbalances, with the stable RON masking the need for structural reforms to ensure long-term stability.
Beneath this calm surface, significant pressures were building. The country was grappling with twin deficits—a substantial current account deficit, exceeding 4% of GDP, and a widening budget deficit, driven by increased public spending and tax cuts. This made the economy reliant on short-term capital inflows, leaving the currency vulnerable to shifts in global investor sentiment. Furthermore, political instability and concerns over fiscal discipline, including controversial emergency ordinances affecting the banking sector, periodically eroded investor confidence and put downward pressure on the Leu.
Consequently, the key theme of 2019 was the central bank's challenging balancing act. The NBR cautiously raised its benchmark interest rate to 2.50% by year-end to combat above-target inflation and support the currency, but it had to do so without stifling economic growth. The overall situation highlighted Romania's underlying vulnerabilities: strong consumption-driven GDP growth was being sustained at the cost of growing external and internal imbalances, with the stable RON masking the need for structural reforms to ensure long-term stability.
🌱 Common