#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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Events Archive

Homage to Mihai Eminescu

June 15th, 2016

The Department of Culture of Chișinău Municipality and the National Museum of History of Moldova have organized an event of commemoration of poet Mihai Eminescu on the occasion of 127 years since his death.

The event of commemoration was held in the Blue Room of the museum, with the participation of artists and scholars, lovers of classic music, representatives of several public institutions. The cultural and artistic show was hosted by Lucia Culev, head of the Department of Culture.

During the event were performed lyric creations of composer Eugen Doga, with lyrics by Veronica Micle and Mihai Eminescu, performed by sopranos Ghiulnara Răileanu, Ana Cernicova and Mariana Bulicanu, and by Veaceslav Timofti, member of „Brio Sonores" band. The artists were accompanied by the Quartet of the Theater of Opera and Ballet lead by Dumitru Cârciumaru and pianist Livia Ciolpan. Next in the program was a recital of poetry signed by Mihai Eminescu and presented by actor Alexandru Pleșca, followed by a folk music moment performed by composer and singer Viorel Burlacu.

The audience present at the event had the opportunity to meet composers Eugen Doga and Anatol Chiriac who spoke about their musical work inspired by the creation of Mihai Eminescu.

The event ended with the presentation of the video of song „De-aș avea" (If I could have) with lyrics by Mihai Eminescu, which was reinterpreted after 40 years by Alex Calancea and Cătălin Josan. The film is a tribute to the author of music, composer Anatol Chiriac and singer Ştefan Petrache. The video was financially supported by the Department of Culture of Chișinău Municipality.

#Exhibit of the Month

Coins issued by Stephen the Great (1457-1504)

Homage to Mihai Eminescu

June 15th, 2016

#Exhibit of the Month