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Moldovan leu
leu moldovenesc (Moldavian) (Romanian) |
 |
| 1 Leu note obverse and reverse |
|
| ISO 4217 Code |
MDL |
| User(s) |
 Moldova (except Transnistria territorial unit /  Transnistria) |
| Inflation |
7.5% |
| Source |
The World Factbook, 2008 est. |
| Subunit |
|
| 1/100 |
ban |
| Plural |
lei |
| ban |
bani |
| Coins |
1, 5, 10, 25, 50 bani |
| Banknotes |
1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 lei |
| Central bank |
National Bank of Moldova |
| Website |
www.bnm.md |
The leu (ISO 4217 code MDL) is the currency of Moldova. Like the Romanian leu, the Moldovan leu (pl. lei) is subdivided into 100 bani (singular: ban). The name of the currency originates in Romania and means "lion".
[edit] History
Between 1918 and 1940 and again between 1941 and 1944, when Moldova was part of Romania, the Romanian leu was used also in the eastern part of Moldavia. The Moldovan leu was established on 29 November 1993, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the creation of the independent republic of Moldova. It replaced the older cupon currency at a rate of 1 leu = 1000 cupon.
In Transnistria, an unrecognised break-away republic from eastern Moldova, Transnistrian ruble is used instead.
Coins consist of 1, 5, 10, and 25 bani in aluminium and 50 bani in aluminium-bronze. Aluminium 50 bani, and nickel-plated-steel 1 and 5 leu coins were issued in 1993 but have been withdrawn from circulation.
[edit] Banknotes
There have been two series of Moldovan leu banknotes. The first series was short-lived and only included 1, 5, and 10 lei.
| Second Series |
| Image |
Value |
Dimensions |
Main Colour |
Description |
Date of |
| Obverse |
Reverse |
Obverse |
Reverse |
Watermark |
first printing |
issue |
 |
 |
1 leu |
114 × 58 mm |
Yellow |
Stephen III |
Mănăstirea Căpriana |
As portrait |
1994 |
May 1994 |
 |
 |
5 lei |
Blue |
Biserica sf. Dumitru din Orhei |
April 1994 |
 |
 |
10 lei |
121 × 61 mm |
Red |
Mănăstirea Hîrjauca |
May 1994 |
 |
 |
20 lei |
Lime |
Cetatea Soroca |
1992 |
November 1993 |
 |
 |
50 lei |
Pink |
Mănăstirea Hîrbovăţ |
May 1994 |
 |
 |
100 lei |
Orange |
Cetatea Tighina |
September 1995 |
 |
 |
200 lei |
133 × 66 mm |
Pink and yellow |
Chişinău Mayoralty |
 |
 |
500 lei |
Orange and green |
Chişinău Cathedral |
December 1999 |
 |
 |
1000 lei |
Purple |
Presidency building |
October 2003 |
| For table standards, see the banknote specification table. |
[edit] Curious facts
- On the front side of each banknote only one man is represented - the best-known ruler of Moldavia - Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great).
- On the back side of a 100 lei banknote the Bendery fortress is shown, though there is a typo in its name, as the word Thighina should be written without first "h" - Tighina.
- The first two lines of the Mioriţa ballad - «Pe-un picior de plai, Pe-o gură de rai…», are written in the white circle on the front side of each banknote.
- On the back side of a 1000 lei banknote the Presidency building is shown, yet the writing says that it's the Parliament building. This is because when these banknotes were first printed in 1992 this building was indeed the Parliament building, but then it became the Presidency building.
Current MDL exchange rates
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
