In accordance with the prerogatives conferred upon by Law No.101/1998 - The NBR Act and Ordinance No.45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania and approved by Law No.244/1998 on vesting the NBR with the power to put in circulation numismatic coins made of precious metals, the National Bank of Romania will issue, starting 2 October 2000, a silver coin with face value of Lei 500 dedicated to the commemoration of 600 years from the enthronement of Alexandru cel Bun, ruler of Moldova, in 1400.
Characteristics:
- shape: round;
- type of metal: silver;
- fineness: 925/1000;
- quality: proof;
- weight: 27.00 gr.;
- diameter: 37 mm;
- edge: flat;
- year of issue: 2000.
Obverse: On the left, the seal of Baia, the first capital city of Moldova thus established by the first rulers in the line of Muşat family, the descendant of which was Alexandru cel Bun.
On the right, the Romanian Coat of Arms and underneath the face value of "500 LEI" engraved horizontally along two lines.
The inscription "ROMANIA" and the year of issue "2000" underneath are separated by the other graphic elements through a horizontal lacklustre area.
Reverse: The bust of Alexandru cel Bun in semi-profile, according to a fresco at Suceviţa monastery dating back to the 16th century, is centrally situated. The ruler, having a long white beard, wears a typically Byzantine garment consisting in a pearl-lined mantle with diamond buttons and a golden crown adorned with pearls. His left hand points at the Mirauţi church of Suceava, i.e. the first metropolitan cathedral in Moldova, in the background, where he deposited the relics of Saint John the Younger on 24th June 1402.
Circularly, the inscription: "600 ANI DE LA URCAREA PE TRONUL MOLDOVEI A LUI ALEXANDRU CEL BUN". Mintage: 1,000 pieces for the domestic market; maximum mintage: up to 2,000 pieces (to be sold abroad).
Each silver coin is encapsulated in transparent plastic cases and has authentication certificates (in Romanian and English) signed both by the NBR Governor and the Chief Cashier, as well as a prospectus.
For numismatic purposes, individual or corporate entities may purchase, hold and exchange the silver coins pursuant to Art.2 of Ordinance No.45/1998 issued by the Government of Romania and approved by Law No.244/1998.
This coin is legal tender in Romania. The design of this coin is protected by registration with the State Office of Trade Marks (OSIM) in Romania. Forgery or counterfeiting of these coins is an infringement of the law and shall be penalised accordingly.
The branches of the National Bank of Romania are in charge of putting into circulation the silver coins at Lei 500 face value - year of issue 2000 - for numismatic purposes.