Description

Carol I (1839–1914), born Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, was the ruler of Romania from 1866 to 1914. He was elected Ruling Prince (Domnitor) of the Romanian United Principalities on 20 April 1866 after the overthrow of Alexandru Ioan Cuza by a palace coup d'état. In May 1877, he proclaimed Romania an independent and sovereign nation. The defeat of the Ottoman Empire (1878) in the Russo-Turkish War secured Romanian independence. He was proclaimed King of Romania on 26 March [O.S. 14 March] 1881. He was the first ruler of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, which ruled the country until the proclamation of a republic in 1947.

Obverse

Depicts the Steel Crown in a centre above date within wreath.

The Steel Crown of King Carol I of Romania was forged at the Army Arsenal in Bucharest of the steel of a cannon captured by the Romanian Army from the Ottomans during the War of Independence (1877–1878). Carol I chose steel, and not gold, to symbolize the bravery of the Romanian soldiers. He received it during the ceremonies of his coronation and of the proclamation of Romania as a kingdom in 1881.

Engraver: Wyon

1900

Reverse

Value, the country name above.

ROMANIA
• 10 •
BANI

Edge

10 Bani

Kingdom
KM# 29 Schön# 28
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 4.5 g
Diameter 22 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment -
Mint
Romanian Mint (Monetăria Statului)

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