#Exhibit of the Month

This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture.
The vessel was found in a child's grave. The burial pit had an oval shape, and the deceased was laid in a crouched position (similar to the fetal posture), on the left side. A total of five vessels were uncovered in this grave: three near the back, one at the feet, and one in the pelvic area.
The cultural attribution of this funerary complex was determined based on the burial rite and grave goods. This culture is characterized by the specific construction of the burial pit, as well as the positioning and orientation of the deceased toward the east and northeast.

The vessel is shaped from clay mixed with finely crushed shell. Its walls curve gradually toward the top, with the widest diameter at the shoulder area. It has a short neck, a slightly flared rim, and a flat base. The surface is carefully polished, in some areas to a lustrous finish. The interior is reddish-brown, while the exterior is yellowish-brown with gray spots. The rim features groups of perforations, three of which are preserved in their original state. The diameter of the holes is 0.35 cm. The space between the groups of perforations is decorated with cord impressions. The transition from the neck to the shoulder is adorned with three horizontal lines made with cord, from which, in five places, three vertical lines descend, each 5 cm long, executed using the same technique. At the time of discovery, these lines were filled with a white paste. The space between the groups of lines is decorated at the top with short vertical lines (0.5 cm long), and in the center with a meander ornament made of two parallel lines impressed with cord. The base of the vessel retains the imprint of a textile.
Vessel dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Rim diameter: 15.7 cm; Maximum diameter: 22 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„History of a coin”

January 30 – September 8, 2014

The exhibition History of a coin (monetary circulation in Moldova from oldest times until the present), organized by the National Museum of History of Moldova and the Club of Collectors from Chișinău municipality, is a novel exhibition with a special design that will introduce the public into a miraculous and captivating world of numismatics.

The coin is a valuable object by its nature. The inner value of coins had determined humans to collect and hide them in secured places in order to use them for specific needs. Those once hidden coins and forgotten by former owners represent treasures found afterwards.

A special interest are the pictures and various symbols conserved on the coin surface, some very beautiful and made very well. The coins represent also important evidence for the study of some historic events and phenomena. Their discovery in certain geographic areas, both isolated and in treasuries, offers important data regarding monetary circulation from that given space, also offers data regarding the economy of the period the coin was issued or amassed, gives information regarding the circulation of goods in that region and functioning of certain commercial roads.

Owing to these qualities, the coin was and remains an object desired to be accumulated and preserved in different collections, both private and public.

In the exhibition will be displayed isolated coins and monetary treasuries with adornment objects discovered on the territory of Republic of Moldova in different historic periods which are kept in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova and in private collections from Republic of Moldova.

The exhibition is structured in seven compartments reflecting the stages of monetary circulation in Moldova.

Monetary circulation in the Ancient period (5^th c. BC - 5^th c. AD)
Early medieval period (6^th c. - end of 14^th c.)
Monetary circulation in Principality of Moldova from foundation until the middle of 16^th c.
Principality of Moldova under Ottoman suzerainty
The period of Russian-Turkish wars. Moldova in the Russian Empire
Monetary circulation in the period 1918-1991
National Coin of Republic of Moldova

Most of the objects present in the showcases of the exhibition are novel and will be exhibited for the first time to the large public.