Moldova: New Gold and Silver Proof Coins Mark Country’s Currency Anniversary

Moldova’s currency the lei is one of the country’s most prominent and honoured symbols of sovereignty and nationhood which was developed shortly after independence was achieved 33 years ago. Present-day Moldova comprises the historical land of known as Bessarabia and traces centuries of rivalry between the Russian and Turkish Empires for control of the territory, which finally passed to Russia in the 19th century. In 1918, and after the fall of the Russian Empire the territory briefly became independent as the Moldavian Democratic Republic and following the decision of the Sfatul Țării or Parliament, they united with Romania. In 1940 during World War II, Romania was compelled to agree to an ultimatum and ceded its territories between the Prut and Dniester rivers, present-day Moldova to the Soviet Union, which was then absorbed and renamed as the Moldavian SSR.

On the 23rd June 1990, the-then Moldavian SSR adopted a Declaration of Sovereignty, which established the supremacy of Moldovan laws over those of the Soviet Union. Just prior to the ultimate collapse of the USSR in December 1991, the-then Moldavian SSR unilaterally declared its independence from the Soviet Union on the 27^th August 1991. The country’s constitution was adopted in 1994, outlining the form of government as a parliamentary republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. At this time, the name of the country was also amended to Moldova which is the proper name of the country in the Romanian language.

Between 1992 and 1993, a transitional currency known as cupon was introduced by the newly formed National Bank of Moldova which replaced the former Soviet rouble at par. Only notes were issued in denominations of 50, 200, 1000, and 5000 cupoane. As Moldova’s economy was taking shape, a permanent exchangeable currency was planned and introduced on the 29th November 1993. Named the Leu – translating as the Romanian word for lion, it replaced the cupon at a rate of 1000 to one new leu. As with the Romanian currency, also named the leu, the Moldovan leu is subdivided into 100 bani. The new currency was issued first as coins of 1, 5, 25 and 50 bani and 1 and 5 lei. Banknotes soon followed in 1994 with denominations of 1, 5, and 10 lei. On the front side of each banknote the image of Ștefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) is portrayed and remembered as the best-known ruler of Moldavia.

The coins are produced by the Monetăria Statului, Romanian State Mint at their facilities in Bucharest on behalf of the National Bank of Moldova. The obverse side features the national crest centred with the year of issue 2024 placed above the crest. The text REPUBLICA and MOLDOVA are placed along the left and right rim. Below a line under the crest is the coins’ denomination of 100 LEI (gold) or 50 LEI (silver). The specifications of the coin are also shown just along the lower rim Au 999.9 7,8g or Ag 999 and 31,1g. A pattern of dots simulating a sunburst is included as a background. The reverse side features the monogram of the National Bank of Moldova shown on all banknotes, off-centred to the right with the commemorative inscription ANIVERSAREA LEULUI MOLDOVENESC (Moldovan Leu anniversary) placed below. To the left of the monogram is a vertical and stylised ‘Tree of Life’ ornament along with the commemorative date 29 Noiembrie 1993 shown in free-style script and also placed vertically and to the left of the ornament.

Available from the 29th November, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information on the commemorative coins released by the National Bank of Moldova, please visit their numismatics section of their website.