The Moldovan leu is Moldova's official currency, issued by the National Bank of Moldova. It is divided into 100 bani, with banknotes ranging from 1 to 1000 lei and coins in 1, 2, 5, 10 lei and 5, 10, 25, 50 bani. The leu became Moldova's official currency in 1918, but was replaced by coupon currency in 1944 when Moldova became part of Romania. After gaining independence in 1993, the leu was reintroduced. The leu is not used in the Transnistrian region, where the Transnistrian ruble circulates instead.