MOLDOVA

At various times, an independent country, part of Romania and a Soviet Union republic. Moldova has had a chequered history. It finally gained independence from The USSR in 1991. The legend that explains the name is that it comes from the river Moldova, which was named after the first prince of Moldova, Dragos, who's hunting dog, Molda , drowned in the river while hunting Aurochs. Today Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. It's capital is Chisinau.

The Note above is the 1 Leu from 1998 with King Stephan on the front and the monastery of Capriana on the reverse.

Monetary unit:  3 Ducati = 100 Lei
                       100 rubles = 1000 cupon  1992
                        1 Leu = 1000 cupon 1993 - onward