The first on the list of rarities – commemorative gold coin, which was put into circulation in 1995. Unfortunately, this coin has been accompanied by a failure. However, let’s start from the beginning.

The curious thing is that the event which was intended to commemorate the release of this coin and the coin minting process were separated by incredibly short period of time (not to mention the fact that the decision was delayed). Below you will find a document (namely, the first chapter), which was signatured by then Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus M. Chigir and by the chairman of the National Bank Board S. Bogdankevich. Please, read this carefully and you will find out the narrowness of possibilities of the first coin creators from the young independent country, who, inter alia, did not have any experience in this field.

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus

№. 283/7. June 2, 1995, Minsk

About the coins made of noble metals putting into circulation in 1995

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus for the purpose of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War and in honour of the Belarusian nation historical way to independence DECIDE:

1. To put into circulation gold-silver coin in 1995, devoted to the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War and to the significant occacions of the Belarusian history, which reflect national, cultural and historical tradition of the Belarus (further – the coin).

Coins are issued in 50 series. Each of the series has a nominal value of 1000, 500, 250, 125 and 50 roubles (1000 coins of each nominal value). Coins are sold on collectable prices.

The National Bank, together with the Ministry of Finance ensures the preparation works  and approves design,  description and templet of coins as well as determines the date of their putting into circulation within a week and distributes a description of the coins in the mass media within a month.

Unfortunately, despite such high-level decision, all 50 series of coins planned to be released (with five denominations in each!) were not destined to see the light. Nevertheless one coin was produced. Received the title of the first Belarusian gold coin, it soon earned a bad reputation among specialists.

The fact is that the coin stood a good chance to obtain a solid image: creators of the coin over a surprisingly short period of time developed an attracting design, based on expressive symbols - the Obelisk of Victory in Minsk and the Belovezhskaya Pushcha bison. Also the coin was of solid weight - 31.1035 grams of gold, i.e. troy ounce, and of considerable size - diameter of 32.6 millimeters. Finally, it contained the highest purity of the noble metal (999.9). However, transatlantic manufacturer, taking advantage of the inexperience of the customer, in the desire to obtain additional jackpot dashed hopes of the numismatists. Extremely high retail price of 1,200 USA dollars was prohibitive for the small collectors. Despite of  the extensive advertising campaign in newspapers and magazines, on radio and television, very few people became the owners of the coin. 

The Victory 50

Source of information: National Bank of the Republic of Belarus www.nbrb.by. Alexander Orlov