Logo Title
obverse
reverse
Museums Victoria / CC-BY

10 Lei (National Bank of Moldova) – Moldova

Circulating commemorative coins
Commemoration: 30th Anniversary of the National Bank of Moldova
Moldova
Context
Year: 2021
Issuer: Moldova Issuer flag
Period:
(since 1991)
Currency:
(since 1993)
Total mintage: 250,000
Material
Diameter: 25.3 mm
Weight: 7.65 g
Thickness: 2.3 mm
Shape: Round
Composition: Bimetallic (Brass plated center, Nickel plated ring)
Techniques: Latent image, Milled
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard196
Numista: #296733
Value
Exchange value: 10 MDL

Obverse

Description:
- A stylized "30" frames the National Bank of Moldova logo and the word "ANI".
- The State Coat of Arms is at the top.
- The circular inscription "BANCA NAȚIONALĂ A MOLDOVEI" is in the exergue.
- A decorative element is at the bottom.
Inscription:
BANCA NAȚIONALĂ A MOLDOVEI

ANI 30

BNM
Translation:
National Bank of Moldova

30 Years

BNM
Script: Latin
Language: Romanian

Reverse

Description:
The foreground shows "10 LEI" and "2021." Around the circumference is a decorative engraving, while the top exergue features a latent image monogram "RM" for Republica Moldova. The digit "1" includes the micro-engraved legend "BNM."
Inscription:
R/M

2021

10

LEI

BNM BNM BNM
Script: Latin

Edge

Milled with a customized shape and lettering „*MOLDOVA*MOLDOVA”
Legend:
*MOLDOVA*MOLDOVA

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
2021250,000

Historical background

In 2021, Moldova's currency situation was characterized by significant volatility and political influence, with the Moldovan Leu (MDL) experiencing notable depreciation pressures. The year began with the Leu trading around 17.2 to the US Dollar, but it weakened to approximately 17.8 by year's end, a decline of over 3%. This trend was driven by a confluence of factors, including heightened political uncertainty following the election of President Maia Sandu and her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which led to early parliamentary elections in July. Investors and the public were wary of the political transition and its implications for economic policy, leading to cautious behavior and demand for foreign currency.

The economic backdrop further strained the currency. Moldova remained heavily dependent on energy imports and remittances, with inflation rising sharply due to global energy price increases and domestic agricultural challenges, including a severe drought. The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) faced the difficult task of balancing inflation control with supporting economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. While the NBM intervened periodically in the foreign exchange market to smooth out excessive fluctuations, it generally maintained a flexible exchange rate regime, allowing the Leu to adjust to market forces while building up foreign reserves, which saw a modest increase during the year.

Ultimately, the currency's trajectory in 2021 reflected a nation at a geopolitical and economic crossroads. The decisive parliamentary victory for the PAS party in July signaled a firm pro-EU integration path, which promised long-term stability and access to funds but introduced short-term uncertainty. The Leu's depreciation was thus a symptom of both immediate economic shocks and a broader recalibration of Moldova's political and economic orientation away from Russian influence and towards the European Union, setting the stage for potential stability and reform-driven support from international partners in the coming years.
🌱 Common