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From the history of Armenian coins: birth of Armenian dram on Nov 22, 1993

Soviet rubles had been circulating up until November 22, 1993 when the state currency – dram - was released.

November 13, 2013

The Central Bank of Armenia, chaired by Isahak Isahakyan, was formed on March 27, 1993. However, Soviet rubles had been circulating in Armenia up until November 22, 1993 when the state currency – dram - was released, with an exchange rate of 200 rubles to 1 AMD established.

From the history of Armenian coins: Soviet commemorative coins dedicated to Armenia

68 types of commemorative coins were minted during the period between 1965 and 1991 out of copper-nickel alloy.

November 8, 2013

68 types of commemorative coins were minted during the period between 1965 and 1991 out of copper-nickel alloy. 3 of them - Earthquake, Matenadaran and David of Sassoun - were dedicated to Armenia.

From the history of Armenian coins: Money circulation in USSR

The mintage stopped in 1925 and then re-started in 1926, when coins with the value of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks were made of aluminum bronze.

November 5, 2013

With formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1924, the government orders to exchange all types of currency in circulation for USSR bank notes. At that time, these were bank notes with the value of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 25 chervontsy (chervonets – a ten-ruble bank note) and gold coin, also called chervonets, thus making a two-chervonets currency system: the gold-based and soviet, which were devaluating.

From the history of Armenian coins: No coins minted in Armenia in 1918-1924

In 1924, the USSR government ruled to replace all bank notes circulated in Transcaucasia with the USSR currency of single design.

November 1, 2013

In 1922, the Federation of Socialist Soviet Republics of Transcaucasia (FSSRT) was formed to include Soviet Socialist Republics of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, with a relevant treaty signed March 12, 1922 in Tiflis (Tbilisi).

From the history of Armenian coins: currency of First Armenian Republic

The Bons of the Transcaucasian Commissariat were printed with the value of 1, 3, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 250 rubles in 1918.

October 30, 2013

The first branch of the State Bank of the Russian Empire was established in Yerevan in 1893. After the October Revolution in 1917, Transcaucasia, consisting of the Elisabethpol, Erivan and Tiflis Governorates populated by Armenians, Georgians and Caucasian Turks seceded from Russia and transformed into a unified independent Transcaucasian Commissariat, with the center in Tiflis.

From the history of Armenian coins: Karabakh Khanate mintage

When the Persian power weakened, half-independent khanates of Karabakh, Shirvan, Sheki, Ganja and others were established.

October 25, 2013

In 996 by Muslim calendar (1588 AD), Karabakh and the surrounding territories belonging to Ottomans fell under the sway of Persian rulers. In the second half of the 18th century the Persian power weakened and half-independent khanates of Karabakh, Shirvan, Sheki, Ganja and others were established. Panah Ali Khan conquered the fortress of Shosh village and declared himself the Khan of Karabakh.

From the history of Armenian coins. 1st ever paper money circulated in Armenia in 19th century

Along with paper money, gold, silver and copper coins were also circulated, with billon (low-grade silver) coins entering circulation later.

October 22, 2013

In early 19th century, Eastern part of Armenia was annexed to the Russian Empire with the latter’s paper currency entering into circulation. This was the first time ever paper currency was circulated in Armenia to last for 100 years till 1917: among banknotes circulated were those of Russian emperors Alexander I, Nicholas I, Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II.

From the history of Armenian coins. Coins of Erivan (Yerevan) minted under Persian rule

As a result of struggle between Akkoyunlu and Karakoyunlu tribes, some territories of the region had been under their alternate rule.

October 18, 2013

The rule of the Hulaguids in Armenia was followed by numerous Muslim dynasties, including the Jalayirids, a Mongol Jalayir dynasty which ruled over Iraq and western Persia after the breakup of the Mongol Khanate of Persia (or Ilkhanate) in the 1330s.

From the history of Armenian coins

Cross as symbol of Christianity in Kingdom of Cilicia

October 16, 2013

After the Kingdom of Cilicia was conquered by Mamluks, the Armenian coinage stopped for a long period of time.

From the history of Armenian coins: First known coin with Armenian inscription

The Bagratid dynasty coins haven't been preserved, which leads to belief that Bagratid rulers did not mint their own currency.

October 11, 2013

A royal dynasty of Bagratids formed in Armenia in late 9th century (885-1045 AD) as the central authority of the Arab Caliphate was waning. The rulers declared Ani as a new capital city. The period was marked by flowering of culture, expansion of trade, crafts, art and architecture in Armenia.