Moldovan leu

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Moldovan leu
leu moldovenesc

(Moldovan) (Romanian)
1 Leu note obverse and reverse
1 Leu note obverse and reverse
ISO 4217 Code MDL
User(s) Flag of Moldova Moldova except Flag of Transnistria Transnistria
Inflation 12.8%
Source The World Factbook, 2006 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".

Contents

[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 Moldova, Transnistrian ruble is used instead.

[edit] Coins

Coins consist of 1, 5, 10, and 25 bani in aluminium and 50 bani in aluminium-bronze. 50 bani, 1 and 5 leu coins were issued in stainless steel in 1993 but have been withdrawn from circulation.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] [2] 1 leu 114 × 58 mm Yellow Stephen III Mănăstirea Căpriana As portrait 1994 May 1994
[3] [4] 5 lei Blue Biserica sf. Dumitru din Orhei April 1994
[5] [6] 10 lei 121 × 61 mm Red Mănăstirea Hîrjauca May 1994
[7] [8] 20 lei Lime Cetatea Soroca 1992 November 1993
[9] [10] 50 lei Pink Mănăstirea Hîrbovăţ May 1994
[11] [12] 100 lei Orange Cetatea Tighina September 1995
[13] [14] 200 lei 133 × 66 mm Pink and yellow Chişinău Mayoralty
[15] [16] 500 lei Orange and green Chişinău Cathedral December 1999
[17] [18] 1000 lei Purple Presidency building October 2003
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

[edit] Unofficial currencies

A second, unofficial currency in Moldova is the United States dollar. After the creation of the European Union, the third, unofficial currency became the Euro. These currency rates are strongly influenced by the political and economical instability of Moldova.

Current MDL exchange rates
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[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Preceded by:
Moldovan cupon
Reason: inflation
Ratio: 1 leu = 1000 cupon		 Currency of Moldova
1993 –		 Succeeded by:
Current
v • d • e
Currencies of Europe
Eurozone
Northern
Baltic
British Islands
Central
Eastern
Southeastern
Mediterranean
Transcaucasia
v • d • e
Currencies of post-Soviet states
in circulation
obsolete