Moldova commemorates a century since Bessarabia joined the Kingdom of Romania

REVERSEOBVERSE

2018 100 YEARS UNION OF BESSARABIA

Not a prolific issuer of commemorative coins, this one will likely be the only coin to come from this Eastern European country this year. Unusually, it’s also being issued in both gold and silver variants – the first gold coin they’ve produced since 2015 and the first 1oz gold coin this decade. The subject is a big one for the country, however.

The whole region around Moldova and Romania has been one of change and conflict, and one of the big events of the 20th century for the people of Bessarabia was their union with the Kingdom of Romania. Seen as a better choice than being brought into the Soviet Union, it didn’t last and Romania was pressured to leave the region in 1940 by Stalin, but was recaptured by Romania in 1941, before losing it again in 1944. Split by the Paris Treaty in 1947, Bessarabia today lies 65% within Moldova, with the rest a part of Ukraine. The fall of the Soviet Union led to independancefor Moldova and Ukraine, and their borders remain today.

The coin commemorates a century since Bessarabia joined with Romania and carries a symbolic image that fans of female personifications like Britannia, Liberty and Marianne will likely find appealing. Both metals come only in one-ounce versions and carry the same basic design. A classic looking coin, although one with a very niche subject. Available now.

REVERSE: in the foreground: an allegorical image of two countries represented as two women, the one holding a ribbon and the other – a laurel branch. Surrounding are inscribed the title and the anniversary date, along with the Romanian coat of arms and the Moldovan coat of arms.

OBVERSE: in the foreground: the State Coat of Arms of the Republic of Moldova. Surrounding are inscribed the date, value and issuing country.

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION 1,000 Lei 100 Lei
COMPOSITION 0.9999 gold 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 31.1 grams
DIMENSIONS 37.0 mm 37.0 mm
FINISH Proof Proof
MINTAGE 300 1,200
BOX / COA Yes / Yes Yes / Yes