From the history of Armenian coins: Jubilee and commemorative coins

PanARMENIAN.Net - 193 types of coins were issued as of February 2013, including 4 varieties of copper-nickel alloy coins, 11 varieties of brass-plated steel coins, 132 varieties of silver and 45 varieties of gold cons.

Chess Olympiad commemorative coin

In 1996, the Armenian capital hosted the 32nd World Chess Olympiad. On this occasion, the CBA issued a 100-dram commemorative coin which entered circulation July 4, 1996.

The coin was designed by a member of the Armenian Artists' Union Hrachya Aslanyan and minted at the Mint of Poland.

Basic characteristics

Nominal value - AMD 100; Weight - 10,8 gram; Metal - copper-nickel alloy; Diameter - 29,5 mm; Milled edge - corrugated

Yeghishe Charents jubilee coin

The jubilee coin marks the 100th birth anniversary of the great Armenian poet and writer Yeghishe Charents. The coin was put into circulation October 6, 1997.

The coin was designed by a member of the Armenian Artists' Union Hrachya Aslanyan. It was coined at Britain's Royal Mint.

Basic characteristics

Nominal value - AMD 100; Weight - 10,8 gram; Metal - copper-nickel alloy; Diameter - 29,5 mm; Milled edge - corrugated

Pagan goddess Anahit-dedicated gold coin

The first gold coin in Armenia with a face value of AMD 25000 is dedicated to the pagan goddess Anahit, who symbolized fecundity and fertility.

The commemorative coin, issued July 5, 1997, was designed by a member of the Armenian Artists' Union Hrachya Aslanyan. It was coined at the Royal Dutch Mint.

Basic characteristics

Nominal value - AMD 25000; Weight - 4,3 gram; Metal - gold, 900°; Diameter - 18,0 mm; Milled edge - corrugated

Armenian Provinces commemorative coins series

The Armenian Provinces coins series was a major event in the country's numismatics. The territory of Armenia is divided into 10 provinces, with Yerevan as a separate territorial unit. The 11-coin series valued at 50 dram each were put into circulation June 25, 2012.

Basic characteristics

Nominal value - AMD 50; Weight - 3,5 gram; Metal - brass-plated steel; Diameter - 18,0 mm; Milled edge - corrugated

The obverse of the coins, designed by Eduard Kurghinyan, shares similar image. The reverse, designed by a member of the Armenian Artists' Union Karapet Abrahamyan, features individual images for each of the 11 coins.

The coins were minted at the Mint of Finland.

The 2012 commemorative coins

The 2012 commemorative coins featured the following themes:

Yerevan (featuring the statue of David of Sasun and a part of the railway station building in Yerevan)

Aragatsotn Province (featuring Byurakan Observatory)

Ararat Province (featuring Khor Virap monastic complex against the background of the Mount Ararat)

Armavir Province (featuring a monument to the 1918 Battle of Sardarapat)

Gegharkunik Province (featuring Sevan peninsula and Lake Sevan)

Kotayk Province (featuring the 1st century Garni pagan temple)

Lori Province (featuring the medieval Haghpat monastic complex)

Shirak Province (featuring a phaeton against the background of the early 20th century street)

Syunik Province (featuring the Gates of Syunik monument)

Tavush Province (featuring a medieval Tavush castle)

Vayots Dzor Province (featuring a red-listed Bezoar goat atop a mountain)

The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan, the numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.