#Exhibit of the Month

The great ruler Stephen the Great, outstanding army commander and diplomat, was also concerned during his life with the economic prosperity of the country, supporting the development of crafts, trade and fairs. During his reign, groși and half groși minted in the dinar system were issued, a monetary system introduced in Moldova during the last reign of Petru Aron (1455-1457).

The coins were minted from silver of superior title, those that reflect stability in the economic life of the country at that time. Their masterful execution at the Suceava mint is among the beautiful artistic achievements during the reign of Stephen the Great.

During his reign, two types of issues were minted, for the two denominations: groși and half groși.

Type I issues have a split shield on the obverse; in the first quarter appears a rose surmounted by a cross and three fascias, in the second quarter. For the epigraph issues (groși), the image is accompanied by the circular legend with the name of the issuer: + STEFANVS VOIEVODA. On the other side appears the bour's head with a star between the horns accompanied by the heraldic furniture - the rose and the contoured crescent, placed to the right and left of the bour's head; circular legend: MOLDAVIE COIN.

On type II coins in the shield on the obverse appears a patriarchal cross (double) and the legend STEFANVSVOIEVOD or abbreviated STEFANVSVOIE. On the reverse, as in type I, the bour's head with heraldic attributes is preserved: rose right/crescent left and crescent right/rose left. A star or rose appears between the ox's horns. The legend accompanying the face with the bour head is MONETAMOLDAVI or abbreviated MONETAMOLDA.

The dating of Stephen the Great's coins is still under discussion. According to one opinion, type I issues were minted between 1457-1476, and type II between 1480/1481-1505 (Octavian Iliescu), and another 1465/1467-1475/1476 for type I and 1476/1479-1497 for type II (Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu).

The coins in this showcase were discovered during the archaeological excavations at Orheiul Vechi (Trebujeni, Orhei district) in the 6th and 7th decades of the 20th century:

1. Type I money issues, groși, silver
2. Type II money issues, groși, silver
3. Type II coin issue, half groși, silver

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

"Postcards from Ukraine"

24 February – 15 March 2024

The exhibition "Postcards from Ukraine" is organized by the Public Association "Progressive community", in collaboration with the National Museum of History of Moldova and with the support of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, dedicated to the commemoration of two years since the start of Russia's aggressive war against the sovereign state Ukraine.

The exhibition includes 22 panels - postcards, each telling the history of an architectural monument located in different regions of Ukraine, before and after its destruction or damage. The works are part of the international exhibition "Symbol of Victory of Ukraine", a project that documents and presents the destruction caused by missile attacks and bombings on Ukrainian cultural heritage. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, multiple historical, architectural and archaeological monuments of Ukraine are attacked and destroyed daily. Russian military forces cynically and ruthlessly target museums, monuments, universities, cinemas, launch missiles at churches, cathedrals, television towers and other edifices. The Russian army not only devastates Ukrainian cities and villages, but also systematically destroys Ukrainian cultural heritage.

Only together we become stronger and can support Ukraine in the struggle for peace and preservation of cultural heritage. We note that we cooperate with the voluntary organization OC FC "Vilni Kryla", an organization that provides humanitarian aid in hot areas. Together with "Vilni Kryla", a fundraising campaign was organized to support Ukrainian heroes. In this regard, we appeal to each of you to join the fundraising campaign by scanning the QR code. Everyone's contribution is very valuable to those who fight for the defense of Ukraine, for peace and stability.

By visiting this exhibition you have the opportunity to delve into the history and significance of these novel and unique monuments, as well as to feel the tragedy brought by the war.

The exhibition will be displayed in the upstairs hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, from February 24 to March 15, 2024.