The information about the coins of 1 leu and 2 lei is confidential until the decision on their putting into circulation is published in the Official Gazette (O.G.). This is the answer provided by the National Bank of Moldova to an inquiry about the stage of the initiative that was made by IPN News Agency.

“The process of issuing metallic coins with the nominal value of 1 leu and 2 lei consists of a number of stages and their designing is of major importance. In June-August this year, the National Bank of Moldova staged a public contest to choose designs for the coins with the nominal value of 1 leu and 2 lei. Consequently, the Bank selected a number of design concepts for the new metallic coins and the final designs will be agreed by specialists of the mint that won the tender contest,” says the central bank’s response. Details about the chosen design and the mint that won the tender contest haven’t been provided.

At start of June, the National Bank of Moldova announced its intention to put a 2 lei coin into circulation and to replace the 1 leu bill with a 1 leu coin. In a news conference in August, the Bank’s vice governor Ion Sturzu said there were chosen the best three sketches for the 1 leu coin and the best three sketches for the 2 lei coin. The designer was to combine the selected sketches so that the final design included elements from them all.