#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

Events Archive

Festive meeting dedicated to the Professional Day of Historians

June 18, 2022

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, the Blue Room of the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the festive meeting dedicated to the Professional Day of Historians, established by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Moldova no. 427 of June 10, 2011. The event was attended by historians, teachers, ethnographers, museographers, archivists, students and history lovers.

The meeting was moderated by Prof. Anatol Petrencu, Dr. habil. in history (President of the Alexandru Moșanu Association of Historians of the Republic of Moldova) and Dr. habil. Gheorghe Cojocaru (Director of the Institute of History). The event was opened by Dr. Anatolie Topală, Minister of Education and Research, who in addition to the congratulatory message addressed to the community of historians assured them on behalf of the Ministry of supporting their activities, as well as supporting the growth and education of active and responsible citizens.

Greetings and congratulations were made by Dr. Igor Sharov (Rector of the State University of Moldova); Dr. habil. Liliana Condraticova (Secretary General of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova); Dr. Ludmila Chiciuc (Vice-Rector of the Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University in Cahul); Ghenadie Donos (President of the Trade Union Federation for Education and Research); Mr. Nicolae Ciubotaru (the Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University), and other representatives of research institutes, universities, agencies, museums, and so on. Livia Sîrbu, Deputy Director of the host institution, also delivered a message of greetings and wishes for great achievements, emphasizing the role of museums in promoting history and national values.

During the celebratory meeting, diplomas were awarded as a token of high appreciation for the fruitful activity in the field of history, as well as on the occasion of the Historian's Day.

During the celebratory meeting, as a sign of high appreciation for the fruitful activity in the field of history, as well as on the occasion of the Historian's Day, certificates of honor were awarded.

In addition, there was a presentation of the book "Republic of Moldova in search of identity" edited by Dr. habil. Anatol Petrencu and Ion Negrei, in which the proceedings of the conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Moldova were published.

The event ended with a wonderful artistic performance by the members of the Ștefan Neaga Center of Excellence in Art Education.

Historia est magistra vitae!