...Moldova - 2015 First Prints Full Set Of 8 Notes With Same Signature

Republica Moldova

Republic of Moldova

 

Banca Națională a Moldovei

(National Bank of Moldova, Est. 1991)

Currency - Leu (MDL)

 

Posted here is a full set of 8 notes of the 2015 first series, all printed with the year date of 2015 and all signed by the same bank governor, Dorin Dragutanu. Subsequent reprints are also dated 2015 but with different signatures. Whilst I have posted a full set here for the first prints, the bank has not issued any reprints in full set for a given year since then. 

 

Interesting story about this country is that it is landlocked and surrounded by both Romania and Ukraine. Moldova was once part of Romania until in 1944 when the Russian incorporated this region into the Moldovian Soviet Socialist Republic. Moldova has a total land area of 33.843 km2 and yet only with a rather small population of 2.42 millions. Moldova is also the second poorest country in Europe. When this country declared independence on 28.08.1991, a large strip of land lying across the Dniester river declared independence and called themselves - Transnistria. War between Moldova and Transnistria broke out in March 1992 to July 1992 with both parties then agreed to a ceasefire. Despite this, the dispute is still unresolved. The reason for Transnistria wanting to breakaway from Moldova was that they were worried that Moldova may seek unification with Romania, and for that, Transnistria was not happy about it as they preferred to be part or associated with Russia and not to Romania. Both Moldova and Romania share the same national flag, except that Moldova's flag has the Coat of Arms in the middle of the flag.

 

The Soviet Union (USSR) was officially dissolved on 26.12.1991, after a failed coup attempt in August 1991 carried out by the communist hardliners and military elites. The Soviet Union was originally made up of 15 nations. Whilst the breaking up of the USSR officially happened in December 1991, all the other 14 Soviet Republics had already declared their independence prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The 14 breakaway nations were - Armenia (September 1991), Azerbaijan (August 1991), Belarus (August 1991), Estonia (August 1991), Georgia (April 1991), Kazakhstan (December 1991), Kyrgyzstan (August 1991), Latvia (August 1991), Lithuania (March 1990), Moldova (August 1991), Tajikistan (September 1991), Turkmenistan (October 1991), Ukraine (August 1991) and Uzbekistan (August 1991). 

 

A quick glance at these notes, you can tell that they are not sophisticatedly designed with lots of security features like those we can see over the past 10-15 years. This set was issued on 12.10.2015. The colours used for this series are also limited, like some of the reverse sides are printed with one or two colours. Also there is no text printed to say that these are legal tender banknotes on the front. The Moldavian Leu is considered as an exotic currency as it is not widely traded due to high volatility and limited liquidity.

 

This set of 8 notes is printed by Banque de France in France. All notes were released on 12.10.2015 with the exception for the 5 lei, which was released on 11.12.2017.

One Leu

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermark - Stephen the Great

Dimensions - 110mm x 58mm

Front - On the front, all notes are printed with the portrait of Stephen III or commonly known as Stephen the Great (Stefan cel Mare) wearing a crown over his head. In fact, all banknotes issued since 1992 printed with the portrait of him, which is quite common with many other countries that have the same leader or their head of state appearing on their banknotes.

 

Back - Capriana monastery which is located in Capriana. This monastery was founded in 1429, and is one of the oldest monasteries in Moldova.

 

 

 

Five Lei

 

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 11.12.2017)

Watermark - Stephen the Great

Dimensions - 114.5mm x 58mm

Front - Stephen III was born in January 1433 and died on 02.07.1504. Stephen III was the son of Bogdan II (b.1409-1451). Bogdan II was murdered in 1451, which was carried out by his brother and Stephen III's uncle Peter III Aaron. Instead of succeeding his father, Stephen III had to flee to Hungary when his uncle claimed the Moldavia throne. In 1457, Stephen III returned to Moldovia and defeated Peter III Aaron, was forced to seek refuge in Poland. In 1470, Peter III Aaron attacked Moldavia but was defeated by Stephen III who later executed him.

 

Back - St. Dumitru church (Biserica Sf. Dumitru) situated in Orhei. Orhei is located in the center east of Moldova. This church was completed in 1636.
 

 

 

Ten Lei

 

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermark - Stephen the Great

Dimensions - 121.5mm x 61.5mm

 

Front - Stephen III was the Prince of Moldavia from 1457 until his death in 1504. He was succeeded by his son, Bogdan III the One-Eyed. In modern Romanians, Stephen III is regarded as one of the greatest national heroes and in 1992, the Romanian Orthodox Church canonised him as Stephen the Great and Holy (Stefan cel Mare si Sfant).

Back - Image of Hirjauca monastery, which was founded in 1740. As per the name, it is a monastery located north of the village of Hirjauca (center west of Moldova).

 

 

 

Twenty Lei

 

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermark - Stephen the Great

Dimensions - 120mm x 62mm

 

Front - Stephen III's portrait is all printed to the left side of the note. His portrait shows him wearing a crown on his head. To his right are the words printed vertically - Stephen cel Mare, which means Stephen the Great in Romanian.

 

Back - Soroca castle (fort). The castle was first built in 1499 by Stephen the Great. As it is called, this castle is located in the town of Soroca in the north-east of the country, not far from the Ukraine border. The castle was originally constructed in timber and between 1543 to 1546, it was then rebuilt with stones. The castle was originally used for military purposes and today it is a main tourist attraction in the town.

Fifty Lei

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermark - Stephen the Great

Dimensions - 120mm x 62mm

Front - To the left of the portrait of Stephen III are printed with three words vertically - Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great). On the center bottom are printed with the following warning text - „FALSIFICAREA ACESTOR BILETE SE PEDEPSEŞTE CONFORM LEGILOR" which means - Counterfeit of this banknote is punished according to the law.

Back - Hibovat monastery, founded in 1730 is located north of the village of Hirbovat.

One Hundred Lei

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermarks - Stephen the Great and electrotype BNM

Dimensions - 134mm x 66.5mm

Front - In the middle for each note is printed with the denomination value. To the center right is the Coat of Arm of Moldova. Below that is the signature of the bank's Governor, and at the bottom is a round design with the following words - PE-UN PICIOR DE PLAI, PE-O GURA DE RAI... (translated - “near a low foothill at Heaven’s threshold”)

Back -Tigjina Fortress is a 15th century fortress located on the right bank of the Dniester River in Bender, Moldova. This fortress was built during the reign of Prince Stephen the Great. 

 

Two Hundred Lei

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermarks - Stephen the Great and electrotype BNM

Dimensions - 133.5mm x 67mm

Front - Like all notes printed, they all have the watermark of Stephen the Great. However, the higher denominations of 100, 200 and 500 lei all also have the electrotype BNM letters (Banca Nationala A Moldovei) incorporated as additional security features. For the three notes of 100, 200 and 500 lei, the bank's name in full is printed on the front and on the back of each note. For the rest or lower denominations, it only got printed on the back.

Back - Image of Chisinau City Hall, which was built in 1901. This building is located in central Chisinau and was rebuilt after it was badly destroyed during the Second World War (1939-1941). Chisinau is the largest city and is also the capital city of Moldova.

Five Hundred Lei

Governor - Dorin Dragutanu (tenure 2009-2016)

Date - 2015 (released on 12.10.2015)

Watermarks - Stephen the Great and electrotype BNM

Dimensions - 133.5mm x 66.5mm

 

Front - This is the largest denomination printed for this series. The 1000 lei was not issued or included for this series. Moldova's currency is not a strong currency on the international stage and is almost at par with the South African Rand.

 

Back - Chisinau cathedral or Cathedral of Christ's Nativity. This cathedral was built in the 1830s. This building was partly damaged during the Second World War, and was used as an exhibition center during the Soviet era. Like the Chisinau City Hall, this cathedral is also located in the center of Chisinau and is within a short walking distance (5 minutes walk) between these two buildings.