37 mm diameter, 25 g, silver 90%, copper 10%, grained edge denomination "5 L", ROMANIA, year 1881, Romanian coat of arms, letter B and wheat ear, the signs of Romanian mint, outer pearl circle	inscription "CAROL I REGE AL ROMANIEI" meaning "KING OF ROMANIA" and CAROL I head facing left, outer pearl circle. Under the neck lies KULLRICH, the engraver's name. Mintage: 570.000 coins

The silver coin pictures above are present on Romanian coins through the kind permission of Mr. J. M..

The 5 lei coin struck after the proclamation of the kingdom in 1881 has two variants. The one known as the thin G variant has a different set of letters, all thiner then the leters on the other variant, but the difference is obvious just for the letter G. It is also slightly rarer.

thin G	broad G

Below is displayed a detail of a five lei piece from 1881 featuring the G in REGE broken. It may be a matrix flaw (most probably) or even a new variant.

Below are pictures of a fake 5 lei 1881, that copy the thin G variant. The pictures were sent to us by Mr. C.P. (thanks!). The fake has 37 mm in diameter and is possibly made from zinc.