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50 Lei Otter
| Issuer | National Bank of Moldova |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
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| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | REPUBLICA MOLDOVA 2012 50 LEI |
| Reverse description | The central field features a detailed naturalistic depiction of a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in its habitat. Surrounding the image along the coin's circumference are three inscriptions in block lettering: 'CARTEA ROŞIE' (Red Book), 'VIDRA' (Otter), and 'LUTRA LUTRA', the scientific Latin binomial name of the species, highlighting the animal's protected conservation status. |
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| Additional information |
Moldova's wildlife commemorative series has drawn limited collector attention outside Eastern Europe, but the 2012 otter issue is among the more technically interesting pieces — struck in .999 fine silver at a time when the National Bank was expanding its numismatic program to boost foreign currency earnings. Moldova has no significant domestic collector base, so these issues were produced almost entirely for export sale.
The Eurasian otter (*Lutra lutra*) remains present in Moldovan river systems, though habitat pressure along the Prut and Dniester has reduced populations considerably since Soviet-era industrialization.