The
leu (
ISO 4217 code MDL) is the
currency of
Moldova. Like the
Romanian leu, the Moldovan leu (pl.
lei) is subdivided into 100
bani (singular:
ban). The name of the currency originates in Romania and means "lion".
[edit] History
Between 1918 and 1940 and again between 1941 and 1944, when Moldova was part of Romania, the Romanian leu was used also in the eastern part of
Moldavia. The Moldovan leu was established on 29 November 1993, following the collapse of the
Soviet Union and the creation of the independent republic of
Moldova. It replaced the older
cupon currency at a rate of 1 leu = 1000 cupon.
In
Transnistria, a
partially recognized state claimed in whole by Moldova, the
Transnistrian ruble is used instead.
In November 1993 coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 bani in
aluminium as well as nickel-plated-
steel 1 and 5 leu coins were put in circulation.
The aluminium 50 bani,nickel-plated-
steel 1 and 5 leu coins were later withdrawn from circulation. Starting January 1998 the aluminium 50 bani was replaced by one in aluminium-
bronze.
[1] No new 1- and 5 leu coins have been issued. 1-Ban coins were last minted in 2006. They remain legal tender, but are rarely seen in circulation.
[2]
Since 1996 several commemorative coins for collectors have been issued. A complete listing can be found here.
[3]
Coins in circulation
| 1 ban | 5 bani | 10 bani | 25 bani | 50 bani |
|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
Coins withdrawn from circulation
| 50 bani | 1 leu | 5 lei |
|---|
 |  |  |
[edit] Banknotes
There have been two series of Moldovan leu banknotes. The first series was short-lived and only included 1, 5, and 10 lei. The front of all of these notes—and all subsequent notes—feature a portrait of Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great, also known as Stephen III of Moldavia), the prince of Moldavia from 1457 to 1504. The first two lines of the Mioriţa (The Little Ewe) ballad appear on the back, printed vertically between the denomination numeral and the vignette of the fortress. The Mioriţa is an old Romanian pastoral ballad considered one of the most important pieces of Romanian folklore. The lines “Pe-un picior de plai, Pe-o gură de rai” translate as “Near a low foothill, at Heaven’s doorsill.”
| Second Series |
|---|
| Image | Value | Dimensions | Main Colour | Description | Date of |
|---|
| Obverse | Reverse | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark | first printing | issue |
|---|
 |  | 1 leu | 114 × 58 mm | Yellow | Stephen III | Mănăstirea Căpriana | As portrait | 1994 | May 1994 |
 |  | 5 lei | Cyan | Biserica sf. Dumitru din Orhei | April 1994 |
 |  | 10 lei | 121 × 61 mm | Red | Mănăstirea Hârjauca | May 1994 |
 |  | 20 lei | Green | Cetatea Soroca | 1992 | November 1993 |
 |  | 50 lei | Pink | Mănăstirea Hârbovăţ | May 1994 |
 |  | 100 lei | Orange | Cetatea Tighina | September 1995 |
 |  | 200 lei | 133 × 66 mm | Purple | Chişinău Mayoralty |
 |  | 500 lei | Orange and green | Chişinău Cathedral | December 1999 |
 |  | 1000 lei | Blue | Presidency building | October 2003 |
|
[edit] See also
[edit] References
Preceded by:
Moldovan cupon
Reason: inflation
Ratio: 1 leu = 1000 cupon |
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