The unit of currency in Bulgaria is the lev, divided into 100 stotinki. The Bulgarian National Bank is the bank of issue and handles government funds and state-owned enterprises. In 1974, a new series of coins and banknotes was released, with 6 coins and 5 banknotes being put in circulation.
In 1974, the Bulgarian National Bank put into circulation a new issue of coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki face value. The obverse of all coins features the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1947-1991). The text reads "People's Republic of Bulgaria."
The face value in figures and words, the year of issue (1974-1990), and two spikes of wheat (symbols of the socialist state) are inscribed on the reverse of all coins. The edge of all coins is serrated.
In 1974, the Bulgarian National Bank put into circulation 5 banknotes, with denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 leva, and in 1990 - a new banknote of 50 leva. All banknotes feature watermarks and anti-copy elements as protective measures.
The face of the 1 lev banknote depicts the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the text "People's Republic of Bulgaria". The back of the banknote depicts the Shipka monument, erected at the site of intense fighting between Bulgarian paramilitary units against Turkish troops in the war for independence in 1878.
The face of the 2 leva banknote depicts the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the text "People's Republic of Bulgaria". The back of the banknote depicts a grape-picker, symbol of the importance of labor and laborers in a socialist state.
The face of the 5 leva banknote depicts the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the text "People's Republic of Bulgaria". The back of the banknote depicts the Black Sea port city of Varna.
The face of the 10 leva banknote depicts Georgi Dimitrov (the first Communist leader of Bulgaria until his death in 1949), the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the text "People's Republic of Bulgaria". The back of the banknote depicts a factory, symbol of the importance of labor, the heavy industry and the proletariat in a socialist state.
The face of the 20 leva banknote depicts Georgi Dimitrov (the first Communist leader of Bulgaria until his death in 1949), the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the text "People's Republic of Bulgaria". The back of the banknote depicts a yet another factory, symbol of the importance of labor, the heavy industry and the proletariat in a socialist state.
The face of the 50 leva banknote depicts the coat-of-arms of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the text "People's Republic of Bulgaria". The back of the banknote depicts the hill of Tsarevets with the Sveto-Voznesenie church and the tower of Tsar Asen in the medieval Bulgarian capital of Veliko Turnovo.
