The monetary unit of the Republic of Moldova is the Moldovan leu. The leu replaced the Moldovan coupon on November 29, 1993. The exchange was made at the rate of 1 lei = 1000 coupons. Moldovan change coins are called “ban” (“ban”). All coins in circulation, with the exception of the 50 bani, are made of aluminum; the 50 bani were also made of aluminum until February 2, 1998, after which they began to be minted from brass-clad steel.