Sadagura Coins: Russian and Ottoman Currency Combined

Illustrated Specimen Details: Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia

Example Specimen: 2 para and 3 kopecks, 1773 — Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia

Design & Inscriptions: Sadagura coins are a fascinating type of bronze coinage issued by the Russian Empire specifically for the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (encompassing modern Moldova and Romania) from 1771 to 1774. During the Russo-Turkish War spanning from 1768 to 1774, Russian forces occupied these territories. To ensure a functioning monetary circulation, the military command introduced these special coins featuring a unique double denomination.

The obverse of this specimen displays the imperial crown above the dual coats of arms: the aurochs head representing the Principality of Moldavia, and an aquila holding a golden Orthodox cross in its beak accompanied by a new moon, representing the Principality of Wallachia. The surrounding Cyrillic legend reads МОН. МОЛД. И ВАЛОСК., which translates to "Coin of Moldavia and Wallachia".

The reverse features the double denomination indicated inside an ornamental square: 2 ПАРА and 3 КОПѢЕКѢ. This brilliantly combined the monetary unit of the Ottoman Empire (para) with that of the Russian Empire (kopeck). Minted at the Sadogursky Mint in modern-day Chernivtsi, Ukraine, these standard circulation pieces were notably produced using copper and bronze obtained from smelting captured Ottoman artillery. However, due to excessive emission, the coins suffered from inflation and had to be withdrawn from circulation within a few years.

1. MOLDAVIA AND WALLACHIA (1771-1774): denga and kopeck or para (double denomination)

Etymology and History of Sadagura Coins

About the name of the Sadagura coins: These Moldavian and Wallachian issues are commonly referred to as Sadagura coins because they were entirely produced at a newly established mint on the estate of Baron Gartenberg near Chernivtsi. Translated into Polish, his German surname translates to Sadogursky. Consequently, a settlement named Sadagura (also known as Sadhora or Sadgora) grew around the mint. Since 1965, this historical area has been an official district of the city of Chernivtsi in Ukraine. Another conventional name utilized for these specific issues is the "denga and kopeck or para", which explicitly denotes the dual denomination system combining the monetary units of the Russian Empire (denga and kopeck) with the para, a coin characteristic of the Ottoman Empire and its dependent lands on the Balkan Peninsula.

A Unique Dual Denomination System

Sadagura coins are a remarkable series of bronze currency famously recognized for carrying both Ottoman denominations (para) and Russian denominations (denga and kopeck) simultaneously. The main circulation issues included the "1 para equals 3 denga" and the "2 para equals 3 kopecks" coins. This dual system perfectly reflected the complicated political landscape of the Romanian principalities, which were under Russian military occupation but remained heavily integrated into the Ottoman economic sphere of influence.

Historical Background and Production

During the Russian occupation of Moldavia and Wallachia, imperial authorities urgently needed local circulating money to facilitate trade and military payments. The mint was established by Piotr Mikołaj Gartenberg Sadogórski near his estate at Sadagura. One of the most captivating numismatic facts about these issues is that the bronze material utilized for the coins was reportedly sourced directly from melted Ottoman cannons captured during the military campaigns.

Economic Challenges and Legacy

Despite their initial utility, the coins quickly encountered severe economic problems. Because they were significantly overvalued compared to their actual intrinsic metal content, they became highly unpopular among the local populace and were heavily speculated upon. Consequently, many of these coins eventually disappeared from circulation, were officially withdrawn, or were restruck into regular Russian copper coins.

Today, Sadagura coins hold immense historical importance. They were among the very few locally produced coins circulating in the Romanian principalities during the 18th century, illustrating wartime occupation economics and the rare merger of Ottoman and Russian monetary systems. Collectors place particular value on pattern issues, overstrikes, and exceptionally well-preserved examples displaying clear dual denominations.

▶