Romania 10, 20, and 50 Bani 1873 to 1900

Romania issued these nice coins between 1873 and 1900. They all have a wreath-and-crown design. The 50 bani (shown) has an additional wreath below the denomination. The 10 and 20 bani omit the wreath on the denomination side.

10 BANI: copper nickel; no precious metal
20 BANI: copper nickel; no precious metal
50 BANI: 0.067 troy ounces silver

Here are some approximate catalog values for these old coins. It turns out the 20 bani are more rare than the 10 or 50 bani:

10 BANI
worn: $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $7
well preserved: $40
fully uncirculated: $120

20 BANI
worn: $8 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $30
well preserved: $140
fully uncirculated: $200

50 BANI
worn: $3 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $10
well preserved: $30
fully uncirculated: $120

There is a twist with the 50 bani. If you have a 50 bani dated 1873 with medal rotation, rather than the common coin rotation, it is worth twice the values shown above.

To find out if your 50 bani has medal rotation, hold it between your thumb and forefinger with your thumb under the crown and your forefinger on top of the crown. Now turn the coin from left to right, like turning the pages of a book. If ROMANI 50 BANI is right-side up, then you have medal rotation. If ROMANIA 50 BANI is up-side down, then you have coin rotation. Medal rotation is the valuable one.
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