37 mm diameter, 31.1 g, 99.9% silver, grained edge year 2018, circular inscription REPUBLICA MOLDOVA meaning "REPUBLIC OF MOLDAVIA" and the coat of arms of the Republic of Moldavia, in exergue horizontal line and denomination "100 LEI"	allegory of the Union: two women hand in hand, one raising a tricolor flag, the other a laurel branch; on one side the coat of arms of Romania and on the other side the coat of arms of the Moldavian Democratic Republic; on the horizon, the rising Sun; inscriptions UNIREA BASARABIEI CU ROMÂNIA, 27 MARTIE 1918 ani 100 ANI, meaning UNION OF BASARABIA WITH ROMANIA, 27th of MARCH 1918 and 100 YEARS Issuing date: 27th of March 2018 Mintage: 1200 coins
37 mm diameter, 31.1 g, 99.9% gold, grained edge year 2018, circular inscription REPUBLICA MOLDOVA meaning "REPUBLIC OF MOLDAVIA" and the coat of arms of the Republic of Moldavia, in exergue horizontal line and denomination "1000 LEI"	allegory of the Union: two women hand in hand, one raising a tricolor flag, the other a laurel branch; on one side the coat of arms of Romania and on the other side the coat of arms of the Moldavian Democratic Republic; on the horizon, the rising Sun; inscriptions UNIREA BASARABIEI CU ROMÂNIA, 27 MARTIE 1918 ani 100 ANI, meaning UNION OF BASARABIA WITH ROMANIA, 27th of MARCH 1918 and 100 YEARS Issuing date: 27th of March 2018 Mintage: 300 coins

The coin belongs to the "Evenimente istorice" (Historical events) series. This commemorative coin has the biggest value - 1000 lei - ever attributed to a coin issued by the Republic of Moldavia, moral heiress of the Moldavian Democratic Republic (Basarabia), who joined Romania on March 27th 1918.

The pictures of the gold coin are present on Romanian coins through the kind permission of an anonimous donor.

As the historical note on the certificate of authenticity accompanying the coin puts it: <<While Bessarabia and Romania were passing through a dramatic period, being devastated by the First World War and the chaotic collapse of the Tsarist Empire, the union of 27 March was greatly welcomed on both sides of the Prut River and encouraged the struggle for liberation of the provinces under foreign domination. Thus began the process that culminated with the Great Union of 1 December 1918 at Alba Iulia. The union with Romania protected the population of Bessarabia from the bloody Russian civil war, the tragedies of collectivization, the "Holodomor" (also known as the Great Famine or the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine), Bolshevik deportations and repressions. Tens of thousands of civilians from Russia and Ukraine saved their lives by crossing the Dniester and retreating to Bessarabia. The effects of the union were cancelled after 22 years, in 1940, when the USSR annexed Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina [Bucovina] and the Hertza [Herța] land, under the Ribbentrop-Molotov secret pact>>.

The young maiden next to the coat of arms of Moldavia (the aurochs head) bears on the forehead a bridal wreath, as an allegorical representation of the Union and as a bridge to the poem (and song) "Basarabie frumoasă" [Beautiful Basarabia], itself an adaptation of an older, most probably a folk's poem, "Beautiful Transilvania". In keeping with the poem, the young maiden next to the coat of arms of Romania (comprising an aurochs head) holds a a tricolor flag.

Most likely, the song was re-introduced into public culture after the December 1989 regime change by the beloved musician, performer and composer Victor Socaciu (who passed away on December 27th, 2021). The song "Basarabia" appeared on the CD "Cântece naționale" (National Songs) in 2000. The lyrics are declared folklore, being adapted by Ion Zubașcu.

Basarabie frumoasă Basarabie frumoasă, Bine te-ai gătit, mireasă, Că ți-aducem pețitor, pețitor Mîndrul nostru tricolor. Basarabie măreață, Bine te-ai trezit la viață, Că ți-aducem pețitor, pețitor Mîndrul nostru tricolor. Basarabie măiastră, A sosit și vremea noastră, Și ți-aducem pețitor, pețitor Mîndrul nostru tricolor. Basarabie română, Hai să dăm mînă cu mînă, Că ți-aducem pețitor, pețitor Mîndrul nostru tricolor. Să pornim la cununie, Astăzi pentru veșnicie Că ți-aducem pețitor, pețitor Mîndrul nostru tricolor. Basarabie frumoasă, Bine te-ai gătit mireasă, Că ți-aducem pețitor, pețitor Mîndrul nostru tricolor.

Beautiful Basarabia Beautiful Basarabia, Well have you dressed yourself as bride, As we bring a matchmaker to you Our proud tricolor. Stately Basarabia, Well have you awaken to life, As we bring a matchmaker to you Our proud tricolor. Masterly Basarabia, Our time has finally come, And we bring a matchmaker to you Our proud tricolor. Romanian Basarabia, Let's join hands, As we bring a matchmaker to you Our proud tricolor. Let's set off to wedding, Today for eternity As we bring a matchmaker to you Our proud tricolor. Beautiful Basarabia, Well have you dressed yourself as bride, As we bring a matchmaker to you Our proud tricolor.

The song was sung on national folkloric rhythm by Ion Paladi (with "Lăutarii" orchestra) and by Veta Biriș.

King Charles [Carol I] is the one who led the destiny of Romania during the Independence War, concluded with State Independence from Turkey, the seizure of proper Basarabia (southern Basarabia) by the Russian ally and the return of Dobrogea to the MotherLand. Grigore Antipa, scientist that was close to king Carol I, testifies about attitudes and intimate thoughts of king Carol about Basarabia, disclosed spontaneously on one occasion, during the preparation stage of the yearly trips on Danube River and into the Delta of the royal family [1]:

"One year, while discussing with the King the trip itinerary, I told Him it would be good to go on the branch of Chilia [border with Russian Empire], as it is very beautiful and would allow us to visit Letea Forest, which is so interesting. The King grew dark and told me: << There it is too sad for me because of the unhappy loss of Basarabia >>. Indeed the thought of Basarabia's loss tormented him until the end of His life.

In 1912, passing before Reni city [in Basarabia, where Prut River flows into Danube], He saw the railway station and public buildings on the shore adorned with Russian flags, and then told me << it may be reckoned they found I was about to pass by these whereabouts >>. I stood silent and let Him believe it was so, not willing to cause Him pain, because the flags were hung for the celebration of the 100 years since the seizure of Basarabia.".

References

1. xxx, O prietenie regală. Grigore Antipa și regii României, 1892-1944, Editura Muzeului Antipa, București, 2017, p.33-34, reproduce text din volumul „Din viața regelui Carol I. Mărturii contemporane și inedite culese de Al. Tzigara Samurcaș”, București, 1939.