500 Leu Kingdom of Romania (1881-1947) Silver Michael of Romania

1944, Romania (Kingdom), Michael I. Nice Silver 500 Lei Coin. XF!

Condition: XF! Mint Year: 1944. Reference: KM-65 Denomination: 500 Lei Weight: 12.22gm Diameter: 32mm Material: Silver

Obverse: Head of Michael I left. Legend: MIHAI I REGELE ROMANILOR

Reverse: Crown above coat of arms of the Kingdom of Romania. Legend: ROMANIA 500 LEI

Edge Lettering: NIHIL SINE DEO

Michael (born October 25, 1921) reigned as King of the Romanians (Romanian: Maiestatea Sa Mihai I Regele Românilor, literally “His Majesty Michael I King of the Romanians”) from July 20, 1927 to June 8, 1930, and again from September 6, 1940, until forced to abdicate by the communists backed up by orders of Stalin to the Soviet armies of occupation on December 30, 1947. He is also a Prince of Hohenzollern.

A great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria by both of his parents and a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, he is one of the last surviving heads of state from World War II, the others being Simeon II of Bulgaria and former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.

Michael has had a reputation for taciturnity.  He once said to his grandmother, “I have learned not to say what I  feel, and to smile at those I most hate.” Before getting to know his  future wife, Anne of Bourbon-Parma, Michael had a romantic relationship with, among others, a Greek woman, Dodo Chrisolegos, a protégé of the former Romanian Communist Party leader Ana Pauker. Some claim that political influences had been exerted upon King Michael through this liaison.

Michael is passionate about cars, especially military jeeps. He is also interested in airplanes, having worked as a commercial flight pilot during his exile.