Type details
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Currency | BGN |
| Denomination | 2 |
| Series | 1999 Series |
| Series year | 2005 |
| Series range | 1999–present |
| Issue year | 2005 |
| Issuer | Bulgarian National Bank |
| Issuer (native) | Българска Народна Банка |
| Signatures | Управител: Ivan Iskrov; Главен Касиер: Tsvetan Gunev |
| Printer | Bulgarian National Bank Printing Works |
| Front portrait | Paisius of Hilendar |
| Reverse subject | Bulgarian heraldic lion and manuscript pages from Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya |
| Themes | writer,religion,indigenous_culture |
| Watermark | Portrait of Paisius of Hilendar in clear field |
| Security features | thread,microprint,intaglio,see_through_register,hologram |
| Colour palette | #9b8aa0,#d4c8d6,#5c4d5e |
| Material | paper |
| Dimensions (mm) | 121x64 |
| Language / script | Cyrillic |
| Languages | bg |
| Pick # | P-117b |
| Rarity | common |
| Legal status | in_circulation |
| Era | 1990_present |
| Default value (low) | 2.0 |
| Default value (high) | 5.0 |
| Value currency | USD |
Front
Paisius of Hilendar (1722–1773), Bulgarian monk and National Revival figure, author of 'Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya' (Slavonic-Bulgarian History), the foundational work of Bulgarian national consciousness written in 1762. The note shows his portrait alongside an image of the Hilendar Monastery on Mount Athos where he lived and worked, and reproductions of his manuscript. The dates 1722-1773 and his name in Cyrillic 'Паисий Хилендарски' appear beside the portrait.
Back
The Bulgarian heraldic lion, a crowned lion rampant which has been the symbol of Bulgarian statehood since the Second Bulgarian Empire. The background features pages from Paisius's manuscript 'Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya', showing his original handwriting. This work urged Bulgarians to know their history and language during Ottoman rule, becoming a catalyst for the Bulgarian National Revival.
History
This 2 leva note is part of the 1999 series of Bulgarian banknotes introduced after the currency board arrangement was established in 1997, pegging the lev to the Deutsche Mark (later the euro). Paisius of Hilendar was chosen for the 2 leva denomination to honour his role as the spiritual father of Bulgarian nationalism. His manuscript was copied and distributed throughout Bulgarian lands, awakening national consciousness that eventually led to Bulgarian independence in 1878.
Linked specimens (1)
Merge into another type
Repoints every linked specimen above to the chosen target type, fills any target nulls from this type, then deletes this type. This cannot be undone.