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The Moldovan leu (code: MDL) is the currency of Moldova. Like the Romanian leu, it is divided into 100 bani. The Moldovan leu was introduced in 1993, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

History[]

500 lei 1922 - 1941 avers

A banknote of the Romanian leu.

From 1918 to 1944, when Moldova was a part of Romania, the Romanian leu was used in Moldavia. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, the Republic of Moldova was formed and required use of its own currency. The first of these currencies was the cupon, which was replaced by the leu (meaning "lion"), on November 29, 1993, at a rate of 1 leu = 5000 cupons.

Within Transnistria, a partially recognized state located in Moldova, the Transnistrian ruble is legally issued.

Coins[]

Moldova 1st CC rev

Moldova's first commemorative coin.

The current coins of the leu are denominated in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 bani, with the 1, 5, 10, and 25 bani coins being composed of aluminum, while the 50 bani coin is composed of aluminum-bronze. Aluminum 50 bani coins, and nickel plated steel 1 and 5 lei coins were issued in 1993, but have been withdrawn from circulation.

Commemorative coins[]

Moldova minted its first commemorative coin in 1996, which commemorated the 5th anniversary of the Moldovan Declaration of Independence. Since 2000, commemorative coins have been produced annually, in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 lei.

Banknotes[]

MoldovaP5-1Leu-1992-donatedoy f

A 1 leu note from 1992.

Two series of Moldovan leu banknotes have been printed. The first series, which was only issued in 1993, consisted of notes denominated in 1, 5, and 10 lei. During November 1993, the first banknote of the second series, denominated as 20 lei was introduced. The new 1, 5, and 10 lei notes were introduced in 1994 with the 50 lei note. These were followed by the 100 and 200 lei banknotes in 1995, the 500 lei banknote in 1999, and the 1000 lei note in 2003.

Exchange rates[]

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Current MDL exchange rates
From Google Finance [1]: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From Yahoo! Finance [2]: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From OzForex [3]: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From XE.com [4]: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From OANDA.com [5]: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD


References[]

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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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