Romanian coins are the smallest part of the Romanian currency.

Romanian coins will become the bane of your life. They build up so quickly in your wallet that you feel you want to just put them in a big bottle somewhere but the moment you do, you will find that you have just too little money for a newspaper, book or when you go shopping they will ask for these coins.

It is the social norm to not worry to much about these coins. When you fill up with petrol, and you fractionally over or undershot the amount - then you just pay to the nearest note, unless of course you pay by credit card.

Here is a quick breakdown of the coins and their uses.

The smallest coin, a little brown coin, is the bani coin. It is super rare and so I get terribly excited when I get one in my change. You only ever find it in super pendantic shops as its value is so low as o make it almost completely worthless. I think iot was only ever made to make the range of coins complete.

The next in the collection is the 5 ban coin - worth about 1p or 2c. I use this coin remarkably rarely so it does tend to build up in my pocket. Most people leave at the till as they are still so small and worthless.

Now we get into the Romanian silver coin collection. It is the 10 ban - a well used coin and so again will tend to fill up your wallet. At least this one has a real use and no one minds if in an emergency you count them out to buy a newspaper.

The big dady of the collection is the 50 ban coin. This is a great coin and has many a time saved me. Two of these coins is worth the same as the smallest note. It has the added advantage of being the one companies use to let you use their shopping trollies. If you are lucky and not a miser like me, when you come out of some central supermarkets such as Kaufland, a gang of street urchins will offer to retu you trolley for you in retun for the 50 ban piece.

You may not always get coins in your change - some shops find themso annoying that they will give you a sweet or some gum instead. Just smile and accept them.

The final note on coins is don't worry if the coins confuse you - I still get confused with how many notes and coins are needed - and as I am the ultimate bumbling Englishman, the often need to write down and show me!

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