PHOTO // National Bank of Moldova launches commemorative coin dedicated to Nadia Comăneci and first perfect 10 in gymnastics history

The National Bank of Moldova (BNM) is launching, starting November 13, 2026, a commemorative coin dedicated to Nadia Comăneci and the first perfect 10 awarded at an Olympic competition. The new numismatic piece is part of the “Sport” series, is made of silver, and has a face value of 50 lei.

The coin has a mintage of 1,500 pieces, and its design was created by the State Mint of Romania. The issue celebrates Nadia Comăneci’s achievement, which made her a part of world sports history after she received the first perfect 10 at the Olympic Games, becoming a symbol of excellence in gymnastics.

BNM Governor Anca Dragu said that through this issue, the institution aims to immortalize a landmark moment in world sports and convey a symbol of excellence that continues to inspire generations.

Each coin is packaged in a transparent methacrylate capsule and a presentation box. The piece comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the BNM governor, which includes a QR code providing access to information about the coin’s characteristics.

Commemorative and jubilee coins issued by the BNM can be purchased by submitting an online application in the “Coin” section of the institution’s website or through licensed banks in the Republic of Moldova. These banks may independently set the selling price, provided that it does not exceed the level established by the BNM by more than 3%.

Nadia Comăneci is one of the best-known gymnasts in the history of world sports. The Romanian athlete became famous at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, when, at just 14 years old, she received the first perfect 10 in the history of Olympic gymnastics.

She was born on November 12, 1961, in Onești, Romania. On July 18, 1976, at the Montreal Olympic Games, she received the first perfect 10 for her uneven bars routine. The achievement was so unexpected that the electronic scoreboard had not been programmed to display a score of 10 and showed 1.00 instead. At the 1976 Montreal Games, Nadia Comăneci earned a total of seven perfect scores and won three gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal. In 1980, at the Olympic Games in Moscow, she won two more gold medals and two silver medals. Her Olympic record includes five gold, three silver, and one bronze medal, earned at the 1976 and 1980 Games.

Her achievement in Montreal changed the history of gymnastics and transformed her into a symbol of sporting excellence. In 1999, Nadia Comăneci became the first athlete invited to speak at the United Nations for the launch of the International Year of Volunteers.

The year 2026 marks 50 years since the historic moment in Montreal. On July 18, 2026, exactly five decades had passed since Nadia Comăneci received the first perfect 10 at the Olympic Games.