Bulgarian Lev

The word “lev” means lion in archaic Bulgarian.
Bulgarian Lev was introduced in 1881 as the official currency of Bulgaria with a value equal to the French Franc at that time. During World War 2, it was fixed to the German Mark (1 Mark = 32.75 Lev), then to the Soviet Ruble in 1944 (1 Ruble = 15 Lev).
Between 1943 and 1952 only banknotes but no coins were issued.
Since its introduction in 1881, it was renewed four times, today it is fixed to the euro.