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
The relationships between Russian armies and native populations of the Moldavian and Romanian kingdoms in the ears of the Crimean war (1853-1856)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The release of the Oriental Crisis at the middle of the XIX th century, and it’s evolution in a new European full-size war in 1853-1856, had dropped like a hard load for the Romanian population. Military occupation of the Kingdoms, at the 3 July 1853, brought about difficulties almost unbearable. At the beginning of the military occupation, in order to calm population, general Gorceakov had declared officially that it will be brief, and Russian Empire themselves will ensure all expenses necessary for this occupation. Nevertheless, Russian official data attested that, beginning with August 1853 until May 1854; native population of the Kingdoms had assured Russian armies with all necessary. Pretensions and necessities of the Russian authority had continuously grown-up. In this situation, the rulers of the Moldavian and Romanian Kingdoms abdicated. Over the official obligations imposed to the Romanian people by the Russian administration, they had had to tolerate the robberies, violence, and humility. The Russian soldiers often exceeded of their authorities and abused of natives. The difficult situation in the Kingdoms, where were dislocated Russian armies, had worsened when the Russian administration officially declared that it will not read anymore the grievances of the autochthons. From that moment, the conflicts between native population and Russian soldiers had had to solve local representatives of Russian administration. The Romanian people had had to support all the wrongdoings of the Russian soldiers, without the right to protest. The relationships established between Russian armies and the Romanian population in the ears of the Crimean war was violent and very difficult, and less of humanities. It was typically relationships between conqueror and submissive population.
Natalia Timohina
Economical Situation of Bessarabia before the Crimean War
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
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 National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.