#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

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Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova awarded the remarkable results of Civil Society Organisations in the Republic of Moldova

June 22, 2022

Civil society organisations, funded by the European Union (EU), which have contributed to the consolidation of democracy, economic and social development of the Republic of Moldova were awarded within the Civil Society Gala 2022. The award event, organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, took place on 22 June in the yard of National History Museum of Moldova.

With his presence honoured us the Jānis MAŽEIKS, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, who stated: “The European Awards for civil society mark the dedication and perseverance, and namely – the daily assiduous work, based on enthusiasm and real-life impact on the life of the people of the Republic of Moldova. We will certainly continue supporting civil society in the Republic of Moldova, working for a better governance, stronger society, resilient economy, local development and healthier environment, for a better life and equal opportunities for the people in all regions of the Republic of Moldova, as together we are stronger!”.

Civil society organisations (CSO) from different regions of the Republic of Moldova were awarded for their perseverance, dedication and creativity in identifying solutions to the most pressing issues at the local and national level.

The list of this year's winners is as follows: European Association for Local Democracy Agency (ALDA) - Stronger Governance Award, Public Association “AudiViz” - Stronger Society Award, East Europe Foundation - Stronger Economy Award, and Public Association “Social Innovation Fund of Moldova” - Stronger Connectivity Award.

Additionally, four special awards were offered: Public Association “Homecare” - Confidence Building Award, Public Association “Anima” - Promoting Change Award, Centre “Partnership for Development” - Gender Champion Award, and Diaconia - Response to Social Crisis Award.

The first edition of the European Awards for Civil Society Organisations was organised by the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova in 2018. Since then, three editions were organised in physical format.

The award ceremony was streamed on the online platforms of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova and mass media platforms.