#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

Opening of the anniversary exhibition "Academician Alexei Sciusev. Life and Opera" 150 years since the birth, dedicated to the European Heritage Days

September 28, 2023

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, the opening of the anniversary exhibition "Academician Alexei Shchusev. Life and Works" took place, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and the National Archives Agency on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the birth of the renowned architect, in the context of the European Heritage Days.

The event featured a welcoming speech from Ms. Livia Sîrbu, Deputy Director of the Museum, who spoke about the efforts made by the Museum to develop the holdings and popularize the activities of the Alexei Shchusev House Museum. Dr habil. Ion Gumenâi and Mr. Alexandru Corduneanu spoke about the biography of Alexei Shchusev, while Mr. Iurie Povar and Mr. Sergiu Tronciu focused on his role in the planning of the city of Chisinau, as well as in architecture at the international level. At the end, Mr. Anatol Povestca, head of the Alexei Shchusev House Museum, presented the exhibition concept to visitors, and then guided the guests through the exhibition. We were glad to see among us outstanding figures in the cultural, pedagogical and scientific life of the Republic of Moldova, representing the Technical University of Moldova, the National Archives Agency, the Union of Architects of the Republic of Moldova, and others.

This exhibition is an excellent example of the development of museum collections, as it presents a treasure trove of the work of the architect Alexei Shchusev, the works that highlight the memory of the place, the activities of the academician, but above all, highlight his artistic talent.

The exhibition can be visited from September 28 to October 15, 2023 at the National Museum of History of Moldova (31 August 1989 Street, no. 121 A), in the upstairs hall.