More than 80 proposals for the design of the 1 leu and 2 lei coins have been submitted by people to the National Bank of Moldova. The Bank’s vice governor Ion Sturzu, in a press briefing on August 9, said there were chosen the best three sketches for the 1 leu coin and the best three sketches for the 2 lei coin, IPN reports.

According to Ion Sturzu, there was launched the procedure for approving the technical parameters of the future coins. The set of documents required for holding a tender content to choose the designer is being prepared. The producer of the 1 leu and 2 lei coins will be chosen later. The designer will combine the selected sketches so that the final design includes elements from them all.

“When the coins are introduced, the necessity of producing 1 leu banknotes will disappear. The cost price of a coin is much higher than of a 1 leu bill. We consulted society, businessmen, analysts and everyone welcomed the intention to replace the banknotes with coins and to introduce a new coin,” stated Ion Sturzu.

Among the elements of coins suggested by people are names of personalities, historical monuments and popular traditions. The authors of the six chosen sketches and the sketches will remain secret until the decision to put the 1 leu and 2 lei coins into circulation is published in the Official Gazette.

“The winners will be awarded by a commemorative silver coin whose value is not higher than 675 lei, depending on the taken place,” stated Ion Sturzu.

At the 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. The 1 leu bills will circulate in parallel with the 1 leu coin until the stores are used up. The 1 leu bill will be replaced because it lost its initial value and is no longer efficient.