#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

National holidays at the NMHM

August 28, 2022

On August 28, the National Museum of History of Moldova held for its visitors a series of beautiful activities dedicated to the national holidays of Independence Day and Our Language.

At the entrance, visitors were given tricolor ribbons and were urged to honor the state symbols and history of the nation. Visiting the exhibition began with the "Independence Exhibit", composed of two photographs, one of which captures the moment of signing the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova by Alexandru Moșanu, and the second captures the restoration of this act on April 26, 2010 (photo belongs to the Moșanu family).

During this day, visitors enjoyed patriotic music that sounded in all rooms of the museum, and watched the documentary film "The Road to Independence", which was shown in the Clio film library.

In order to know the national history and the events that led to the independence of the Republic of Moldova, a quiz was prepared, based on the museum exhibits in room no. 11. Children, adults and families, groups of curious friends took part in the competition, and the correct answers were awarded (books, leaflets, postcards, etc.).

Folk costume is one of the defining elements of national culture and an emblem of national identity along with other national symbols. Thus, the temporary exhibition "Promoters of national identity and values" comes to highlight the role and importance of folk costume for national unity and identity. Whether presented in a classic and conservative style or taken up and reinterpreted, the symbols of popular clothing are always relevant.

An important part of this program was the presentation of the book "The process of searching for policemen, soldiers and volunteers who went missing during the Dniester war of 1992" by Simion Carp, PhD, university lecturer, war veteran, which is a tribute to all the fallen heroes who defended the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova during the Dniester war in 1992.

We sincerely thank everyone who decided to celebrate the national holidays at the NMHM, and we are very happy that our events create a pleasant atmosphere for spending time with the whole family!

#Exhibit of the Month

Coins issued by Stephen the Great (1457-1504)

National holidays at the NMHM

August 28, 2022

#Exhibit of the Month