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50 lei
General information
Country

Flag of Moldova Moldova

Value

50.00 lei

Years

20002012 (commemorative)

Measurements and composition
Mass

16.5 g

Diameter

30 mm

Composition

silver

Appearance
Shape

round

Alignment

medallic

Obverse

coat of arms of Moldova, value, year, "REPUBLICA MOLDOVA"

Reverse

numerous. see below

v · d · e

The 50 lei coin was first issued by Moldova in 2000, comprising the Monasteries of Moldova (Romanian: Mănăstirile Moldovei) series of commemorative coins. Thenceforth, commemorative coins of this denomination have been minted almost annually by the National Bank of Moldova.

Coins[]

From 2000 to 2009, the 50 lei coins of Moldova weighed 6.5 grams and measured 30 millimeters in diameter. In 2010, the mass was increased to 13 grams, but the diameter was reduced to 28 millimeters. Similarly, the silver content of the 50 lei coin was altered during the same year, having went from being .925 to .999 fine. All the coins share a common design on the obverse: the Moldovan coat of arms accompanied by the state title of Moldova (REPUBLICA MOLDOVA), the coin's value, and the year. However, in 2010, the inscriptions were reduced in size and the coat of arms was largened. Thus far, no 50 lei coins have featured the same reverse as another. The National Bank of Moldova has issued similar commemorative issues in denominations of 10, 20, 100, and 200 lei.

2000[]

The first commemorative 50 lei coins of Moldova were issued in 2000, and were all grouped into a single series, dubbed the "Monasteries of Moldova" (Romanian: Mănăstirile Moldovei). Twenty coins comprised the 2000 series, each featuring a different Moldovan monastery.

Image Reverse Mintage
Monasteries of Moldova series 2000 Monastery in: 1000

2001[]

Two commemorative 50 lei coins were issued in 2001. The first commemorated the 180th anniversary of Romanian poet Vasile Alecsandri's birth, while the other marked the 125th anniversary of the birth of Romanian-born sculptor, Constantin Brâncuşi. Neither belonged to a series.

Image Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei Alecsandri 2001 Vasile Alecsandri, book, writing feather, landscape, "VASILE ALECSANDRI 1821-1890" 1000
Moldova 50 lei Brâncuşi 2001 Constantin Brâncuşi, The Gate of the Kiss, Table of Silence, "CONSTANTIN BRÂNCUŞI", "1876-1957"

2003[]

No new 50 lei coins were issued in 2002, but two commemoratives were made a year later, in 2003. The first, issued on August 20, commemorated the 370th anniversary of Moldavian vornic Miron Costin's birth, while the other, circulated on October 10, marked the 330th anniversary of Prince Dimitrie Cantemir's birth.

Image Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei Costin 2003 Miron Costin, books, inkpot, feather, paper, "MIRON COSTIN", "1633, 1691" 500
Moldova 50 lei D.Cantemir 2003 Dimitrie Cantemir, paper, feather, "DIMITRIE CANTEMIR", "1673, 1723"

2004[]

On October 25, 2004, the National Bank of Moldova issued another 50 lei coin. It commemorated the 380th anniversary of Metropolitan Dosoftei's birth.

Image Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei Dosoftei 2004 Dosoftei, "MITROPOLITUL DOSOFTEI", "1624-1693" 500

2005[]

The National Bank of Moldova issued its only 50 lei coin of 2005 on August 29 of that year. It commemorated the 415th anniversary of the birth of Moldavian chronicler Grigore Ureche.

Image Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei Ureche 2005 Grigore Ureche, paper, feather, "GRIGORE URECHE", "1590-1647" 500

2006[]

Alecu Donici was the subject of a 50 lei coin issued on June 1, 2006 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the poet's birth.

Image Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei Donici 2006 Alecu Donici, fragment from fable, ribbon, "ALEXANDRU DONICI", "1806-1865" 500

2007[]

Two 50 lei coins were issued by the National Bank of Moldova in 2007. The first, issued on November 12, was struck to commemorate the popular Moldovan tradition of pottery. It was part of the "Holidays, Culture, and Traditions of Moldova" coin series, and was the first 50 lei coin since 2000 to be included in a series. The latter of the 2007 coins, part of the "Personalities" series, was issued on December 18, and marked the 350th anniversary of the death of Metropolitan Varlaam Moţoc.

Image Reverse Mintage
50 lei pottery Potter's wheel, potter, pottery, "TRADIŢIA POPULARĂ - OLĂRITUL" 500
50 lei Varlaam Varlaam Moţoc, "MITROPOLITUL VARLAAM", "1657-2007"

2008[]

The National Bank of Moldova issued two 50 lei coins on November 21, 2008. One, belonging to the "Monuments of Moldova" series, depicted the Oak of Prince Stephen the Great, while the other, of the "Holidays, Culture, and Tradition of Moldova" series, commemorated the art of cooperage.

Image Reverse Mintage
50 lei tree Oak Tree of Stephen the Great, "STEJARUL LUI ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" 500
50 lei Butnaritul Cooper constructing a barrel, "BUTNǍRITUL"

2009[]

Three 50 lei coins were introduced on June 15, 2009. The first belonged to the "650 Years Since Foundation of the State of Moldova" series, and commemorated the rule of Vasile Lupu, who was in reign from 1634 to 1653. This coin was smaller than the other 50 lei coins minted, having a mass of 14.5 grams and a diameter of 28 millimeters. The second, belonging to the "Holidays, Cultures, and Tradition of Moldova" series, commemorated the tradition of weaving. The final coin, as a part of the "Monuments of Moldova" series, commemorated the Struve Geodetic Arc.

Image Obverse Reverse Mintage
50 lei Vasile Lupu coat of arms of Moldova, year, value, "REPUBLICA MOLDOVA" Old coat of arms of Moldova, book, "Pravila Lui Vasile Lupu - Primul Cod De Legi Al Ţǎrii Moldovei" 1000
50 lei weaving Peasant woman working at a loom, "Tradiţia Popularǎ-Ţesutul" 500
50 Lei Geodezic Arch Struve Map of Moldova showing the Struve Geodetic Arc, "Arcul Geodezic Struve"

2010[]

In 2010, seven different commemorative 50 lei coins were produced. For the "Ştefan cel Mare Central Park" series, a coin commemorating Grigore Vieru was produced. Another coin, from the "Sanctuaries" series, was minted in commemoration of the Annunciation Church in Chişinău. The only coin of the "Sports" series was made this year, commemorating 100 years of soccer (football) in Moldova. Two commemorative coins in the "Personalities" series were minted; one commemorated Doina and Ion Aldea Teodorovici, while the other commemorated Maria Cebotari. One coin of the "Monuments of Moldova" series was produced, which commemorated Old Orhei. The most recent coin of the "Holidays, Culture, and Traditions of Moldova" series was issued, which commemorated traditional instruments.

Image Obverse Reverse Mintage
50 lei Grigore Vieru coat of arms of Moldova, year, value, "REPUBLICA MOLDOVA" Grigore Vieru, "Grigore Vieru", "1935-2010" 500
50 lei Chisinau Annunciation Church of Chişinău, "Biserica Buna Vestire", "Chişinău 1810-2010"
50 lei Fotbalul Moldovenesc Soccer player with ball, "Fotbalul Moldovenesc", "100 Ani" 1000
50 lei Aldea Doina and Ion Aldea Teodorovici, "Doina Şi Ion Aldea-Teodorovici Douǎ Inimi Gemene" 500
50 lei Cebotari Maria Cebotari, "Maria Cebotari", "100 Ani De La Naştere", "1910 1949"
50 lei Orhei Old Orhei, "Rezervaţia Cultural-Naturalǎ Orheiul Vechi"
50 lei instruments bagpipe, flute, pan flute, violin, "Instrumente Muzicale Tradiţionale"

2011[]

On October 3, 2011, the National Bank of Moldova minted two commemorative coins. The first, belonging to the "Ştefan cel Mare Central Park" series, commemorates Romanian scientist, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu. For the "Personalities" series, a coin was minted to commemorate the 180th anniversary of Alexander Bernardazzi's birth. The National Bank of Namibia introduced two more commemorative coins on December 9. The first, part of the "Holidays, Culture, Traditions of Moldova", commemorated Colinde, Romanian Christmas carols. The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) was the topic of the other coin.

Image Obverse Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei Hasdeu 2011 coat of arms of Moldova, year, value, "REPUBLICA MOLDOVA" Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, "1838-1907" 500
Moldova 50 lei Bernardazzi 2011 Alexander Bernardazzi, St. Teodora de la Sihla Church, "1831-1907" 500
Moldova 50 lei 2011 Colindul Carolers, "COLINDUL" 1000
Moldova 50 lei 2011 spoonbill Eurasian Spoonbill in vegetation, "CARTEA ROŞIE", "LOPĂTAR", "PLATALEA LEUCORODIA" 500

2012[]

The National Bank of Moldova issued four commemorative 50 leu coins on June 21, 2012. The first, part of the "Personalities" series, was minted to commemorate the 555th anniversary of Stephen the Great's enthronement. Ion Creangă was the subject of a commemorative coin, as were the mythical Sânzienele. Also, a commemorative 50 leu coin was struck for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Image Obverse Reverse Mintage
Moldova 50 lei 2012 Stephen coat of arms of Moldova, year, value, "REPUBLICA MOLDOVA" Stephen the Great, "555 de ani de la urcarea pe tron a lui Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt" 2000
Moldova 50 lei 2012 Creanga Ion Creangă, "ION CREANGĂ", "1837-1889" 2000
Moldova 50 lei 2012 Sanzienele Woman wearing wreath of wheat ears on her head, "SÂNZIENELE" 2000
Moldova 50 lei 2012 Olympics Runner at the finish line, "JOCURILE OLIMPICE DE VARĂ LONDRA - 2012", "CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS" 1000

References[]

 v · d · e
Moldovan 50 leu coin
20002001200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017
 v · d · e
Coat of arms of Moldova Moldovan leu
Banknotes 1 L5 L10 L20 L50 L100 L200 L500 L1000 L
Coins 1 b5 b10 b25 b50 b1 L2 L5 L10 L20 L50 L100 L200 L1,000 L
Miscellaneous National Bank of MoldovaTransnistrian ruble
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