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OF

OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

YEREVAN2019 Arthur Javadyan

Governor of the

Dear reader, This year saw many events of great importance to Armenia. This annual journal “Collector Coins of the We celebrated the 25th anniversary of Republic of Armenia 2018” presents the collector introducing the national of the Republic coins issued by the Central Bank of Armenia in of Armenia, the Dram. Dram was put into 2018. These coins are reflecting anniversaries circulation on November 22, 1993. Since 1994, and landmark events during the year. the Central Bank of Armenia has issued more

2 CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA than 300 types of gold and silver collector coins Republic of Armenia and Sardarapat heroic battle dedicated to prominent people of Armenia and during the year. important events – historical and contemporary. Year 2018 marked a special event – the 2800th In 2018 a new series of Armenian banknotes was anniversary of founding the 12th capital of issued, with best accomplishments in security Armenia. On this occasion, the Central Bank of printing technologies of today embedded in them. Armenia issued the collector coin “ – On November 22, 2018, in celebration of the 25th 2800”. anniversary of the Dram, the Central Bank of This year too, the Central Bank of Armenia Armenia put a silver collector coin “25 Years of could not miss the tradition of featuring National Currency” into circulation. worldwide sporting events, and a beautiful We had another important event to celebrate collector coin dedicated to the 2018 FIFA World in 2018: the centenary of founding the First Cup in was issued as a result. Republic of Armenia, which symbolizes how In 2018, the series of exquisite collector coins strenuous was the path to building a statehood of “Armenian Carpet” and “Pottery of the World” Armenia. were added with new issues. In a short time, these Proclaiming the First Republic of Armenia on issues have attracted widespread interest from May 28, 1918 was preceded by the heroic battles general public and collectors, which is attributa- of Sardarapat, Bash Aparan and Gharakilisa, ble to high aesthetic taste of the coins and the which let the people of Armenia regain their mastery of introducing Armenian applied arts. statehood several hundred years later. To mark Undoubtedly, these coins not only the restoring and consolidation of an independent complement the rich of the Republic of statehood, the Central Bank of Armenia issued Armenia issuances, but also serve as guidelines silver coins dedicated to the centenary of the First for the development of numismatics in the world.

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA 3 Suren Simonyan

Head of Currency Issue Coordination Center

COLLECTOR COINS 2018

Year 2018 stood out with the variety of statehood was minted in the Lithuanian Mint, jubilee issuances of coins. using an interesting combination of graphic and The series of collector coins under the theme artistic elements. With this issuance, the Central “Armenian Statehood” was supplemented with Bank of Armenia introduced the symbols of the silver coin “Centenary of the First Republic the first and third republics of Armenia, which of Armenia”. This collector coin dedicated to were accomplished using high relief and the 100th anniversary of restored Armenian pad-printing methods.

4 CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA The issuance of the collector coin “25 Years valuable gift for many national and family of National Currency” came as an important occasions. addition to the thematic series “Armenian This year saw another interesting series. The Currency”, reflecting the history of the national series “Pottery of the World” incorporates 5 types currency. The collector coin incorporates of silver collector coins representing unique elements reminiscent of security features of notes examples of Armenian, Russian, Greek, Iranian and is made using modern mintage technologies. and Chinese ceramics. The reverse of the coins The thematic series “” has miniature ceramic inserts that resemble had two more beautiful collector coins in 2018 real clay vessels in their uplifted and colorful dedicated to the 2800th anniversary of the appearance. The collector coins are square in founding of Yerevan and the centenary of shape and placed in convex capsules. Sardarapat heroic battle. These coins stand out by The silver collector coin “Hovhannes multilayer solutions to engraving and saturation Zardaryan-100” was a beautiful addition to the of images. series dedicated to prominent Armenian people in We had a distinctive year in a sense that the field of art and science. This coin discernably the collector coins came in depicting unique combines the pad-printed multicolored obverse examples of Armenian and world-class applied with the relief-minted depictions on the reverse. arts. The series of coins “Armenian Carpet” was Along with issuances featuring Armenia’s issued as 10 types of gilded and 10 types of silver rich history and culture, the Central Bank of collector coins, which represent carpet ornaments Armenia turned to a major international sports on both obverse and reverse of the coins made event of 2018, the FIFA tournament. This silver with the use of a pad-printing technology. These collector coin was minted at Geiger Edelmetalle collector coins not only feature the gems of carpet GmbH, a German mint, and has been widely weaving, but may also serve as a beautiful and praised by football fans and coin collectors.

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA 5 Centenary of the First Republic of Armenia

Theme: Armenian Statehood / History of Statehood

Obverse: the coats of arms of the first Republic of Armenia and the third Republic of Armenia. Reverse: the image of the government building of the first Republic of Armenia. Designed by Lusine Lalayan. Minted in the Lithuanian mint. 6 Face value 5000 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O 2018 Weight 168,1 g Diameter 63,0 mm Quality proof Edge even, numbered Quantity 300 pcs COLLECTOR COINS

Despite the socio-economic hardships the country was facing that time, the authorities of the newly independent republic embarked on a vast range of activities for the state-building. That included creation of state symbols – the and the flag of the republic, issuance of he first Republic of Armenian banknotes and stamps, establishment TArmenia was proclaimed of scientific and educational and charitable on 28 May, 1918. institutions. The proclamation of the Unfavorable economic conditions, thousands Republic was preceded by heroic battles in of Armenia refugees who survived the Armenian Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa owing to Genocide, general starvation, blockade of which after a centuries-long break the Armenian transportation ways and aggressive policy of statehood was restored. the neighboring countries deprived the republic On 26 May, 2018 the Transcaucasian Seim was authorities of the possibility to create a stable state. abolished, and on 28 May the Armenian National The first Republic of Armenia held out till Council announced itself a supreme and the only 2 December, 1920, and irrespective of the short life power of the Armenian provinces. A few days later the role of this Republic in the recreation of the it published the communication by which the Armenian statehood is invaluable. independence of the Armenian state was proclaimed and the Armenian Democratic Republic was founded. ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 7 25 Years of National Currency

Theme: Armenian Statehood / Armenian Currency

Obverse: the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia against the background of the notes’ security features. Reverse: the graphical sign of and inscription “25 YEARS” in Armenian against the background of the notes’ security features. Designed by Vardan Vardanyan. Minted in the Lithuanian Mint. 8 Face value 5000 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O 2018 Weight 168,1 g Diameter 63,0 mm Quality proof Edge even, numbered Quantity 300 pcs COLLECTOR COINS

he national currency of the Republic of security printing technologies has been dedicated to Armenia, Dram, is one of the symbols of the the 25th anniversary of introduction of the national Tindependent statehood. currency. Dram was introduced on November 22, 1993. Regular and consentient work to improve Since that time the Central Bank of Armenia has the quality of banknotes and coins of Armenia has been issuing the banknotes and later on circulation and commemorative coins, as well investment coins which are of great interest among collectors. Starting from 1994 the Central Bank of Armenia has issued more than 300 gold and silver collector coins dedicated to birth anniversaries of prominent people of Armenia, as well as historical episodes and landmark events taking place nowadays. The new series of Armenian been repeatedly praised at banknotes produced with the use of the prestigious international CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL best achievements of the modern contests. 9 Yerevan-2800

Theme: Armenian History

Obverse: the symbolic images of the city of Yerevan – the coat of arms, the city plan and a relief ornament in the form of the tree of life at the building of Yerevan Municipality. Reverse: a fragment from A. Harutiunyan’s monumental sculpture “King Argishti and the city founders” at the building of “Erebuni” Historical and Archeological Museum-Reserve. Designed by Vardan Vardanyan. Minted in the Lithuanian Mint. 10 Face value 5000 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O 2018 Weight 168,1 g Diameter 63,0 mm Quality proof Edge ribbed Quantity 700 pcs COLLECTOR COINS

The construction of new Yerevan based on the Alexander Tamanyan’s project commenced in 1924. The city is notable for its unique architectural erevan is the 12th capital of historical solutions. According to great architect, all the YArmenia. avenues of Yerevan are conceived to lead their The territory of Yerevan has been inhabited view to the historical . since the ancient times. In 782 BC, during the Nowadays, Yerevan is presented to the world as flourishing of the Urartian kingdom, King Argishti one of the symbols of Armenian statehood and I founded the - Yerevan of our national identity. days. The evidence of that historical fact is the record of King Argishti, “a stone passport” that confirms the age of the city. The architectural monuments of different periods, remnants of material culture and bibliographical references testify to the ongoing existence of life in the city. Yerevan had repeatedly been subjected to attacks by foreign invaders, but had resisted and remained standing. May 28, 1918 is the date on which the first Republic of Armenia was proclaimed, with Yerevan as the capital city of the Armenian state. ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 11 Centenary of Sardarapat Battle

Theme: Armenian History

Obverse: a bell tower of the memorial to the Sardarapat heroic battle against the background of the battle map. Reverse: a sculptural image of an from the path of the memorial to the Sardarapat heroic battle. Designed by Haroutiun Samuelian. Minted in the Lithuanian Mint. 12 Face value 1000 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O 2018 Weight 33,6 g Diameter 40,0 mm Quality proof Edge ribbed Quantity 500 pcs COLLECTOR COINS

he heroic battle of Sardarapat took place in invasion, and this was an opportunity to restore the 21-29 May, 1918. The victory over the Armenian statehood. On May 28, 1918, after a TTurkish army that had invaded Eastern long-year time interval, Armenia was proclaimed Armenia was achieved due to the heroic struggle of an independent statehood that gave birth to the regular Armenian military units under a skilled Republic of Armenia. leadership of Armenian commanders (Tovmas In 1968, in commemoration of the victory in the Nazarbekyan, Movses Silikyan, Aram Manukyan, Sardarapat battle, a memorial was erected on the Daniel and Poghos Bek-Pirumyans, and others) and battlefield (architect - R. Israelyan). voluntary military forces. The battle of Sardarapat revealed Armenian military traditions in a best way. Representatives of all strata of the Armenian society – village inhabitants, intellectuals, clergymen and craftsmen – took part in the battle. The battle of Sardarapat is one of the remarkable pages in the history of the ’ struggle for independence.

The victory secured the deliverance of a ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL part of from the Turkish 13 2018 FIFA World Cup

Theme: Sport

Obverse: the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia. Reverse: the map of the host-cities and the image of the ball. Designed by MDM (Münzhandelsgesellschaft Deutsche Münze). Minted in the Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH, . 14 Face value 100 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O 2018 Weight 20,0 g Diameter 38,6 mm Quality proof Edge ribbed Quantity up to 5000 pcs COLLECTOR COINS

he collector coin is dedicated to 2018 FIFA World Cup hosted by the Russian TFederation. FIFA tournaments have repeatedly attracted attention of issuers of notes and coins worldwide. Collector coins often feature international football events and are of great interest among football fans and coin collectors. The collector coin “2018 FIFA World Cup” complements the series of silver collector coins of the Republic of Armenia dedicated to the FIFA World Cups of 1998 (), CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 2006 (Germany) and 2014 (Brazil). 15 Hovhannes Zardaryan

Theme: Celebrities / Fine Arts

Obverse: a painting “Spring” by H. Zardaryan. Reverse: a fragment from the painting “Aspiration” by H. Zardaryan. Designed by Vardan Vardanyan. Minted in the Lithuanian Mint. 16 may comein withabstractsolutions. "Exodus" isoneofthebest examplesthatrealism series ofpaintingsandgraphic worksunderthetitle of nationalrevivaland belief inthefuture.The "Aspiration", amongthem) areexpressingtheidea symbolism andallegory ("Spring"and strikingly patriotic.Hisworksconstituting ("The FirstPath","TheMusicologistKomitas")are by content.Thehistoricportraitsofthisartist 1937-1941 attheLeningradFineArtsAcademy. Yerevan FineArtsandIndustryCollege,in studied attheTiflisFineArtsAcademy,laterin H Zardaryan's worksareversatileandvaried He wasborninKars,WesternArmenia. Soviet Armenia. Armenian painter,People ovhannes Zardaryan(1918-1992)isan ’ s Artistofthe famous museums andprivatecollections. Tretyakov StateGallery inMoscow,other maintained attheNational GalleryofArmenia,the at prestigiousinternational exhibitions.Theseare aevle100dram silver925 Metal/fineness Face value uniy500pcs even BU 28,0x40,0mm 28,28g Quantity Edge Quality Size Weight Zardaryan ’ s workshavebeenrepeatedly shown O

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 17 Pottery of the World

Theme: Nature / Environment

Obverse: the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia and national ornaments. Designed by Haroutiun Samuelian. Minted in the Mint of . 18 Face value 1000 dram 2018 Metal/fineness silver 925O Weight 31,1 g Size 40,0 x 40,0 mm Quality proof Edge ribbed Quantity up to 1500 pcs COLLECTOR COINS

Armenian pottery The ancient clay objects found in the Armenian decorated many churches and buildings, were Highland refer to the 7th millennium BC. With exported to European countries. gradual improvements in the potter’s craft ceramics An earlier 18th century clay censer, with acquired variety of forms and ornaments, thus depiction of a cross and the Armenian scripture giving rise to terracotta and colored ceramics. In dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, is one the and , the capitals of example of the Armenian pottery from Kyutahia. Armenia, were major centers of Armenian pottery. The clay censer is preserved in the Cincinnati Here, the Armenian artisans made belt-garnished Art Museum (Ohio, USA). crockery and glazed faience. From the 15th century, a settlement Kyutahia Reverse: the clay censer against the Armenian (Kutina) in historical Armenia was famous for ornament. production of Armenian ceramics. The Armenian Quantity up to 2000 pcs. ceramists in Kyutahia greatly contributed to the CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL development of pottery in the region. Their works 19 Russian Pottery Iranian Pottery The Imperial Porcelain Factory established in The art of Iranian pottery contains the best

2018 St. Petersburg by the decree of Empress Elizabeth I in traditions of Iranian sculpture, painting and 1744 is a large center of Russian ceramics production. architecture. Kashan is one of the centers of A team led by Russian scientist D. Vinogradov, came production of Iranian pottery. This settlement up with their own porcelain formula, using the local became known for innovative methods in the clay features. creation of pottery. Kashan is famous for having The gilded vessel used for bottle cooling is a developed a special formula for double clay baking, sample of Russian porcelain, made by sculptor which allowed Kashan to maintain the originality Pimenov’s design in early 19th century. The vessel has of the art of glazing. Ceramic slabs made of this a colorful coating and over-glazed polychrome finish, type were widely spread in the 13th-14th centuries. COLLECTOR COINS illustrating the views of St. Petersburg. Count Guriev A 13th century porcelain slab is one sample of donated the vessel to Iranian pottery: it represents an octagonal star Emperor specific to Iranian culture, with pictures of the tree Alexander of life and speckled rabbits in the center. The edges I to mark of the slab carry Persian inscriptions taken from the the epic poem “Shahnameh”. victory The Iranian porcelain slab is preserved in the over the (London, Great Britain). Napoleon Reverse: the porcelain Bonaparte‘s slab against the Iranian troops, and ornament. later the name “Guriev” was labelled to it. The vessel is preserved in the Imperial Porcelain Factory Museum (State Hermitage Department, Russia). Reverse: the bottle cooling vessel against the Russian ornament. CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 20 Chinese Pottery Greek Pottery The history of development of Chinese Pottery holds a special place in the ancient

ceramics and its rich culture illustrate the centuries- Greek decorative and applied art. It is characterized 2018 old origin of pottery. The forms and colors of by the diversity of clay vessels and the harmony of ancient clay objects created by Chinese craftsmen the graphic and vivid elements. gradually took more elegant forms and delicate In the ancient world, Attica was one of the most tints. Subsequently, due to improvements in clay important centers of Greek pottery. Starting from the processing technologies the porcelain emerged in 6th century BC, the craftsmen in Athens were busy and marked the beginning of production of perfecting the ancient Corinthian methods of porcelain items. producing pottery, creating unique pieces of Attic Jingdezhen, a ceramics. The yellowish tones of Corinthian ceramics town in China’s were gradually replaced by red colors, making the COLLECTOR COINS Jiangxi blackish images more daring and expressive. Province, Nowadays, thousands of copies of Greek is known decorated vessels are kept in the world museums as the and private collections. A 6th century BC scythe, “Porcelain which is unique by illustration, is one of the Capital” as examples of ancient Greek pottery. The process of it was built making ceramics is trimmed around the vessel. on a clay soil. The Greek pot is preserved in one of the Emperor Jingde Harvard’s Art Museums (Massachusetts, USA). decreed all the Reverse: the clay scythe against the Greek pieces made for court to ornament. be marked “made in the Jingde period” and subsequently the city changed its name to Jingdezhen. The plate made during the reign of Dynasty Qin is an example of Jingdechian porcelain, painted with cobalt on a white background and over-glazed transparent layer depicting the dragon. The porcelain plate is preserved in the Xinjiang Museum (Henan Province, China).

Reverse: the porcelain plate against the Chinese ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL ornament. 21 Ð³Û Ï³ Ï³Ý ·áñ·

Theme: Armenian Culture / Literature, Art

Obverse: the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia and an ornament of Floral-Cross Carpet, 15th century, region. Designed by Anna Khachatryan and Vardan Vardanyan. Minted in the Lithuanian Mint. 22 Face value 1000 dram

he carpets are colorful and inimitable 2018 Metal/fineness gilded silver 925O / documents denoting the identity of the O TArmenian people, the reflection of our silver 925 ancestors’ historic memory, artistic and family Weight 33,6 g traditions. The rich and diverse nature of Armenia Size 32,5 x 48,0 mm gave the carpets wool and dyes of high quality, while the Armenian history coming across many Quality proof millennia sanctified an inexhaustible system of Edge even symbols and ornamental patterns. Quantity up to 250 pcs COLLECTOR COINS per type

' edges are referred to the carpet patterns. The ornaments and designs used in Armenian carpets are well-known in other areas of Armenian applied arts such as architecture, fine needlework, national costume, etc. Armenian carpets are kept in the museums of many countries of the world and in private collections.

Separate elements of carpet images are found in The series comprises the medieval Armenian stone carving art and “Dragon Carpet”, “Altar-Cross Carpet”, miniature painting: many Armenian manuscripts “Bee-Nest Carpet”, “Eagle Carpet”, are decorated with stylized dragon and cross “Medallion Carpet”, “Altar Carpet”, patterns, floral crosses, star and diamond-shaped “Proshaberd Carpet”, “ Carpet”, and other compositions, which are typical to the “Vorotan Carpet”, “Life Tree Carpet” regions where these manuscripts have been created. collector coins. In , other historical cultural sources also provide insight into carpet weaving, in CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL particular, the traditions of embellishing the 23 24

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Artsakh region. Armenia (HMAcollectionN11699-10). Artsakh regioniskeptintheHistoryMuseumof chains offloralandgeometricpatterns. united bybandsformingtheangles. decorated withhookedtips.Thefloralpatternsare Between thepairsofdragonsistreelife differ fromoneanotherbydarkandlightcolors. î-shaped symmetricpatterns.Thepairsofdragons The mythologicalimageofdragonconsists carpets isastylizedandgeometricsignofdragon. Reverse: theDragonCarpet, the17 The DragonCarpetwoveninthe17 The borderofthiscarpetisdecoratedwiththe The keyimageinthecompositionfordragon Dragon Carpet th th century in century, rei HAcleto N11). Armenia (HMAcollection in TavushregioniskepttheHistoryMuseumof Tavush region. colorful shadesofthestar-ornamentedimages. below. Theedgeofthecarpetisnotablefor added withapairofmedallionsfromaboveand encircled inthecross-shapedchain,whichare main ornamentsarethecentralmedallions clay-colored paletteagainstabluebackground.The polyhedral andothertypesofthemedallions. geometrical styleonecanseehooked,heraldic, patterns typicalforthecarpetsornamentedin countless variations.Amongthecompositional great popularity,antiquenatureandcomingin art ofArmeniancarpet-weavingthankstotheir Reverse: theMedallionCarpet,19 The MedallionCarpetwoveninthe19 The artisticexpressionofthiscarpetincludesa The medallioncarpetsareextraordinaryinthe Medallion Carpet th th century, century Syunik region. Museum ofArmenia(HMA collectionN9009). 19 for theArmenianancientandmedievalappliedarts. design. emphasizes themythologicalmeaningofcentral of thecarpetformedbyarrow-shapedrampatterns carpet fillsupwithsmallhookedpatterns.Theedge are arrangedalongtheentirecarpet.Thefieldofthis centers inArmenia. village inSyunikregion,oneofthecarpet-weaving th Reverse: theVorotan Carpet, 19 The VorotanCarpetwoven inthemiddleof The carpetiswoveninsaturatedcolorstypical Three compositionswithdragon-shapedsigns The nameofthiscarpetcomesfromVorotan Vorotan Carpet century inSyunikregion iskeptintheHistory th century, Armenia (HMAcollectionN7738). in ArtsakhregioniskepttheHistoryMuseumof Armenia. festive lifeandtheadvancedlevelofapiculturein ornaments ofthecarpetexpressrichness animals impartthecarpetafestivemood.The weaver, colorfulhorsemen,people,birdsand inexhaustible imaginationofthefemalecarpet selection ofsmallpatterns.Throughthe and fertility. includes thecentralmedalliontosymbolizelife stylized beeimages.Thecompositionofthecarpet century, Artsakhregion. Reverse: theBee-NestCarpet,late19 The Bee-NestCarpetwoveninlate19 The fieldofthecarpetrepresentsalarge The bordersofthecarpetaredecoratedwithbig Bee-Nest Carpet th century th

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CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 N 9023). History MuseumofArmenia (HMAcollection late 19 from cross-stones. carpet designshowsthatitsprimaryinfluenceis semi-medallions withcross-shapedimages. of colorfulcurvedtongues.Insidethearchesare supplementary ornamentalbandtherecomesarow that endineagleheadswithhookedshoots.As a This radiatingmedallionisflankedbywidearches interlaced withtheotherpatternsbyobliquebands. in Artsakh. Jraberd village,oneofthecarpet-weavingcenters century, Artsakh region. Reverse: theJraberdEagle Carpet,thelate19 The EagleCarpetofJraberdtypewovenin The centrallargemedallioniscross-shapedand The nameofthiscarpetcomesalsofrom Eagle Carpet In termsofitscompositionalfeatures,this th century inArtsakhregion iskeptinthe th Shirak region. Armenia (HMAcollectionN11494). Shirak regioniskeptintheHistoryMuseumof the cross-stonesinstyle. patterns, whicharesimilartocarvedornamentson border ofthecarpetisrichwithgeometricalsmall carpet aredecoratedwithsmallmedallions.The with round,starandhookedsigns.Theedgesofthe shaped medallionthereisacrosspatternencircled architectural sources.Inthecenterofaltar- nious andlarge,emphasizingitsconnectionwith tal motifs.Themedallionofthecarpetisharmo- ground isawonderfulcanvasforinteriorornamen- treatment: thedarkaltaronlightyellowback- carpet art. the altarcarpets,havegreatlyinfluencedworld Reverse: theAltarCarpet,19 The AltarCarpetwoveninthe19 This carpetisremarkableforitssplendidcolor The oldesttypesofArmeniancarpets,including Altar Carpet th th century in century, from aboveandbelow. shoots dividethealtarsintoeagle-shapedarches central-domed church,whereasstylizedarrow-like medallion hasaformofthelayoutcruciform influence oftheChristianartisobservable: related tothesimilargroupofcarpets. hooks growingfromthecrossmakethiscarpet architectural style.Wingsdecoratedwithchainsof medallion isplacedinamonumentalcrossof and secondaryornamentalpatterns.Thecentral 19 Museum ofArmenia(HMAcollectionN10549). century inSyunikregioniskepttheHistory th h la-rs aptwoveninlate19 The Altar-CrossCarpet In manyversionsofaltar-crosscarpets,the This carpetfeaturesaninterlacementofbasic Altar-Cross Carpet Reverse: theAltar-CrossCarpet,late century, Syunikregion. th 19 Armenia (HMAcollection in Artsakhregioniskept in theHistoryMuseumof ringed structuretypicaltocross-stones. animal-shaped budsstretchestothecenter. consists ofcross-likesmallpatterns.Arow stylized fruit.Thewall-shapedcrenellatedborder of lifeinsidewhichisdecoratedwithbudsand carpet arediamond-shapedmedallionswiththetree combination ofskewbands.Inthecenter the entirecarpet. in theformofmedallions richness ofversions,whicharemainlyrepresented Reverse: theLifeTree Carpet,thelate th h ieTe aptwoveninlate19 The LifeTreeCarpet The ornamentalbandhasachain-shaped, The carpetfieldconsistsofornamental Life TreeCarpet century, Artsakh region. This carpetischaracterizedwiththe № ’ N 11601-2). regular rowcovering th century

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CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Artsakh region. Armenia (HMAcollection N9952). Artsakh regioniskeptin theHistoryMuseumof carpet maker. carpet pointtotheinexhaustibleimaginationof color structurecharacterizethiscarpet. originating fromoneanotherandadeep,saturated more vivid.Arichselectionofsmallornaments patterns ofthebirdsandflowersbrighter the worshipofsun.Thedarkbackgroundmakes medallions madeofthefloralornamentssymbolizing image isdistinguishedfromtheoctagonal cross-shaped medallions.Thecentralradiating Reverse: theSunCarpet, the18 The SunCarpetwovenin18 The gorgeouspatternsofdecorationthe The carpetfieldisdecoratedwitharowof Sun Carpet th -19 th -19 th centuries in th centuries, Museum ofArmenia(HMAcollectionN10693). in VayotsDzorregioniskepttheHistory pottery art. of whicharemadeinlinewiththetraditions small patternsontheornamentalbandelements clay-colored paletteandarhythmiccompositionof radiating patternsfoundoneaglecarpets. the centerofmedallionsarelinkedwith saturated colorpalette.Thecross-likeornamentsin polyhedral medallions,whicharenotablefora centers inArmenia. fortress inSyunikregion,oneofthecarpet-weaving century, VayotsDzorregion. Reverse: theProshaberdCarpet,late19 The ProshaberdCarpetwoveninlate19 The artisticexpressiononthiscarpetincludesa The compositionofthecarpetconsiststhree The nameofthiscarpetcomesfromProshaberd Proshaberd Carpet th century th Collector coins of the Republic of Armenia 2018 by series and years of issue (1994 - 2018)

ARMENIAN STATEHOOD History of Statehood Armed Forces of Armenia (gold / silver, 2005) th 15 Anniversary of Formation of Armenian Army (gold, 2007) COLLECTOR COINS Artsakh (silver, 1994) 15th Anniversary of Liberation of Shushi (gold, 2007) National Assembly Building (silver, 1995) 20th Anniversary of Formation of Armenian Army (gold, 2012) Artashesian Kingdom (silver, 1995) 20th Anniversary of Liberation of Shushi (gold, 2012) Arshakuni Kingdom (silver, 1995) 25th Anniversary of Formation of Bagratuni Kingdom (silver, 1995) Armenian Army (gold / silver, 2017) Kingdom of (silver, 1995) th 10th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia 25 Anniversary of Liberation of Shushi (gold, 2017) (1991-2001) (silver, 2001) 15th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia (1991-2006) (silver, 2006) Armenian Commanders 20th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia Marshal Baghramyan-100 (silver, 1997) (1991-2011) (silver, 2011) Garegin Nzhdeh (gilded / silver, 2001) 25th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia Marshal Babajanyan-100 (silver, 2006) (1991-2016) (silver, 2016) Ozanyan-150 (silver, 2015) 25th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia/rus. Vardan -1625 (gold, 2016) (1991-2016) (silver, 2016) (gold, 2016) Centenary of the first Republic of Armenia (1918-2018) (silver, 2018) CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 29 30

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 S-5adCT-5 (silver,2017) (silver, 2015) Anniversary ofMembershipthe CST-25 andCSTO-15 300 Eurasian EconomicUnion Collective SecurityTreatyand pnl (silver,1994) (silver,2018) (silver, 2013) (silver, 2008) (silver, 1998) 25 YearsofNationalCurrency 20 YearsofNationalCurrency 15 YearsofNationalCurrency 5 YearsofNationalCurrency Spindle N5 (silver,1995) (silver,2000) (silver,2006) (silver,1999) (silver,2001) 200 International PolarYear Armenia -aMemberofEuropeanCouncil New Millennium Armenia-Diaspora Forum UN-50 Armenian Currency th th Anniversary ofEstablishment Anniversary ofEstablishment eulco rei oteIFW (silver,2017) Republic ofArmeniatotheIMF/WB (silver,2012) (silver,2017) the MekhitaristCongregationinVenice the TreatyOrganization (silver,2011) the MekhitaristCongregationinVienna INTERNATIONAL ARMENIA AND COMMUNITY ohne hrz-0 (gold,2014) (gold,2010) (gold,2011) (gold,2008) (gold,2009) Hovhannes -100 Misaq Metsarents-125 Vahan Terian-125 -175 (gold, Khachatur -200 -100 Pushkin-200 (silver, 2010) 1999) rmKahtyn10 (gold/silver, 2002) (silver, 2018) (gold, 2017) Sayat-Nova-300 (gold, (silver,2016) Aram Khachatryan-100 (silver,2015) (silver,2013) (silver,2014) (silver,2016) (gold,2011) (silver,2013) (gold,2007) Hovhannes Zardaryan-100 Hovhannes Aivazovsky-200 (silver,2010) (gold,2006) Alexander Bazhbeuk-Melikian-125 (gold,2005) Arshak Fetvadjian-150 (gold,2004) Panos Terlemezian-150 2012) Eduard Isabekyan-100 Ara Beqaryan-100 Stepan Aghajanian-150 Toros Roslin-800 Vardges Sureniants-150 Jean Garzou-100 Hakob Gyurjian-125 Martiros Sarian-125 Arshille Gorky-100 Literature Music Fine Arts CELEBRITIES Science Haghpat (silver, 1998) Aghtamar (gold/silver, 1999) -1400 (silver, 2004) Monastery of Gandzasar (silver, 2004) 2018 Artem Mikoyan-100 (silver, 2005) Armenian Monasteries and Churches Viktor Hambartsumian-100 (silver, 2008) Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, -1600 (silver, 2010) Noravank, Gndevank, Sanahin, -150 (silver, 2010) Goshavank, Kecharis (silver, 2012) Hovsep Orbeli-125 (silver, 2012) Benjamin Margaryan-100 (silver, 2013) Voskan Yerevantsi-400 (silver, 2014) ARMENIAN CULTURE

Science, Education COLLECTOR COINS Cinema, Theatre, Circus 50th Anniversary of Establishment Leonid Yengibarov-75 (silver, 2010) of (silver, 2007) th Vahram Papazyan-125 (gold, 2013) 825 Anniversary of "The Codex" written by Mkhitar Gosh (silver, 2009) Hamo Beknazaryan-125 (silver, 2017) 725th Anniversary of Gladzor University (silver, 2009) 200th Anniversary of Foundation of Lazarev Sport Institute (silver, 2015) Tigran Petrosyan-70 (silver, 1999) Literature, Art Social and Political Figures 1600th Anniversary of the (gold, 2002) th Alexander Mantashian-175 (gold, 2017) 1000 Anniversary of the Poem "Book of Lamentations" (silver, 2002) Sahak A Partev (silver, 2005) ARCHITECTURAL King Vramshapouh (silver, 2005) MONUMENTS (gold, 2006) Hovhannes Aivazovsky (silver, 2006) Sardarapat (silver, 1994) 75th Anniversary of Establishment of of Sasoun (silver, 1994) the Opera and Ballet Theatre (silver, 2008) Garni (silver, 1994) Jazz (silver, 2010)

Holy Etchmiadzin (gold/silver, 1998) Teodor Axentowicz (silver, 2010) ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL Ani (gold/silver, 1998) 31 32

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Holy RelicsofEtchmiadzin (gold, 2009) Treasures ofEtchmiadzin Noah Cross-stones ofArmenia Gospel ScenesinArmenianMiniatures St SargistheCommander Armenian carpet (gold/silver,2013) Letters oftheArmenianAlphabet,39types akNhpt (gold,2007) (gold,1997) Haik Nahapet Goddess (silver,2012) 500 Sergei Parajanov ohDsedn rmAaa (gold, 1999) Armenian Patriarchsofthe20 Noah DescendingfromArarat Religion Mythology ’ h luiao (silver,2016) (silver, 2016) (silver,2016) (silver, 2016) Khotakerats SourbNshan Cauldron forHolyChrism (silver, 2011) the Illuminator The RightHandofSaintGregory Holy Lance (silver,2010) Kecharis, Sanahin,Noravank Etchmiadzin, Gndevank,Goshavank, Entry intoJerusalem,Ascension Annunciation, AdorationofMagi, r (,7/1,5/3, )(silver, 2012) s Ark(7,77/15,5531,1g) th niesr fAmna okPitn (silver,2012) Anniversary ofArmenianBookPrinting rsaedCre ( Proshaberd Carpet Life TreeCarpet,MedallionVorotan Altar Carpet,Altar-CrossBee-Nest Dragon Carpet,SunEagle th etr (gold,2008) Century gilded silver/silver, 2018) eea-80(silver,2018) (silver, 2018) Centenary ofSardarapatBattle Yerevan-2800 10 n-00(gold,2011) (gold,2003) (gold,1999) (silver,2015) The 20 The CentenaryoftheArmenianGenocide Artashat-2200 (gold, Ani-1050 110 Tigran theGreat Tigran theGreat 2011) oernt (gold,2011) The OldestTreesoftheWorld pio (silver,1994) (silver,2007) Beauty ofFlowers Armenian 10 Flora th th th niesr fteCuto asto (gold,2008) (silver,1998) Anniversary oftheCourtCassation Year oftheEarthquake or f h eulco rei (silver,2015) Court oftheRepublicArmenia niesr fteSaeBn (silver,2003) Anniversary oftheStateBank ne a,GnrlSemnTe (silver,2014) Angel Oak,General ShermanTree Skhtorashen Platanus,Hundred Horse Chesnut, (silver,2010-2011) Sorbus Hajastana,CrocusAdamii Galanthus Artjuschenkoae,Tanacetum Zangezuricum, th Anniversary oftheConstitutional ARMENIAN HISTORY h ats (silver,2016) (silver,2016) Noah Cross withtheRelicsofSaintGeorge the Baptist Cross withtheRelicsofSaintJohn ’ r 1/77 55 11g (gold,2017) s Ark(1/7,7815,5531,1g) NATURE 32 32 Pottery oftheWorld Labyrinths oftheWorld (silver/CuNi,1998) (silver/CuNi,1997) Wild WorldofCaucasus Armenian Gull Caucasian Otter Sport Environment Fauna nd nd hs lmid (silver1996,§LIALOOSIN¦) Chess Olympiad hs lmid (silver/CuNi 1996,§ROYAL MINT¦) Chess Olympiad aoeLbrnh(silver,2017) (silver,2018 (silver,2016) (silver,2017) (silver,2016) Chinese Pottery,IranianPottery Armenian Pottery,RussianGreek Mazone Labyrinth Barcelona Labyrinth (silver,2006-2008) Vaals Labyrinth Boston Labyrinth Toad Agama Caucasian Owl Armenian Moufflon Bezoar Armenian Viper Trout Wide-nosed Duck Fore-Asian Leopard Mediterranean Tortoise Caucasian ForestCat Trans-Caucasian GreyBear Wide-Eared Hedgehog 06Fobl ol u (silver,2004) (silver, 1999) (silver,1998) 37 2006 FootballWorldCup First Pan-ArmenianGames 1998 FootballWorldCup 08Fobl ol hminhp(silver,2018) (silver,2014) 2018 FootballWorldChampionship 2014 FootballWorldChampionship Art ofFighting Kings ofFootball The SignsofZodiac The SignsofZodiac Other th th itrOypcGms (silver,1998) Winter OlympicGames hs lmid (gold,2006) Chess Olympiad ihlPaii (silver,2010-2011) (silver,2011-2012) Judo, Wushu,Karate,Kokh Michel Platini Mario Kempes,YohanCruyff (silver,2008-2009) Franz Beckenbauer,ZbigniewBoniek Pele, Eusebio,LevYashin, 18 acr e,Vro(gold,2008-2009) (silver,2007-2008) Cancer, Leo,Virgo Aquarius, Pisces,Aries,Taurus,Gemini, Libra, Scorpio,Sagittarius,Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces Virgo, Libra,Scorpio,Sagittarius,Capricorn, Aries, Taurus,Gemini,Cancer,Leo,

33 CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Armenian Collector Coins Issue

2018 Program 2019

Hovhannes Tumanyan-150 Centenary of Foundation of History Museum of Face value 10 000 dram Armenia Metal/fineness gold 900O Face value 1000 dram Weight 8,6 g Metal and alloy silver 925O Diameter 22,0 mm Weight 33,6 g

COLLECTOR COINS Quality proof Diameter 40,0 mm Edge ribbed Quality proof Quantity 500 pcs Edge ribbed Quantity 500 pcs Komitas-150 Face value 1000 dram Admiral Isakov-125 Metal/fineness silver 925O Face value 1000 dram Weight 33,6 g Metal/fineness silver 925O Diameter 40,0 mm Weight 33,6 g Quality proof Diameter 40,0 mm Edge ribbed Quality proof Quantity 500 pcs Edge ribbed Quantity 500 pcs Vartan Mahokian-150 Face value 100 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O Weight 28,28 g Size 28,0 x 40,0 mm Quality BU Edge even Quantity 500 pcs CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 34 2018

Galouste Gyulbenkian-150 5 Years of Face value 10 000 dram Face value 1000 dram Metal/fineness gold 900O Metal/fineness silver 925O Weight 8,6 g Weight 33,6 g Diameter 22,0 mm Diameter 38,61 mm

Quality proof Quality proof COLLECTOR COINS Edge ribbed Edge ribbed Quantity 1000 pcs Quantity 500 pcs

Centenary of Foundation of Yerevan State Year of Caucasian Leopard University Face value 1000 dram Face value 1000 dram Metal/fineness silver 925O Metal/fineness silver 925O Weight 33,6 g Weight 33,6 g Diameter 40,0 mm Diameter 40,0 mm Quality proof Quality proof Edge ribbed Edge ribbed Quantity 700 pcs Quantity 500 pcs CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 35 36

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Lithuanian Mint. while theothercollectorcoinswerestruckat “ . Theseriesofthesilvercollectorcoins In Pottery oftheWorld cooperation withtheMintsofPolandand 2018 theCentralBankofArmeniasustained ” was struckattheMintofPoland, Mints Genocide programs for2014-2018,respectively.Theseare Lithuanian Mint,includingthecollectorcoinsspecifiedundercoinissue Bank ofArmeniasince2001.Numerouscollectorcoinswerestruckbythe Carpet series weremintedbytheMintofPoland. ” , andsoon. ” , “ Mint ofPoland Lithuanian Mint Labyrinths oftheWorld Lithuanian MinthasbeencooperatingwiththeCentral , ,,,etc.).The banks whichdonothavetheirownmint(Armenia, Lithuanian Mintcooperateswithothercountries Mint commencedproductionofcollectorcoins.The only thecirculatingcoins.Since1993Lithuanian T T the “Potteryof World” In 2018,collectorcoinsof circulating coinsoftheRepublic Armenia. on whichtheBanktookadecisiontoissue first December, 1990,inVilnius.Initiallythemintstruck he LithuanianMintwasestablishedon10 with theMintofPolandsince1993,date he CentralBankof Armenia hasbeencooperating ” , “ 25 YearsofNationalCurrency “ Centenary oftheArmenian ” , “ Armenian ’ central

37 CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Internal contest - 2018

2018 In 2018 the Central Bank of Armenia organized an internal contest for collector coins in the categories “Best Silver Collector Coin of the Year” and “Best Series of Collector Coins of the Year”. At the Contest were presented all col- lector coins issued by the Bank during 2018. In the category “Best Silver Collector Coin of the Year” the CBA employers gave preference to the coin “Yerevan-2800”; in the category “Best Silver Collector Coins Series of the Year” the series “Armenian Carpet” was the choice. COLLECTOR COINS

The designer of the collector coin The designers of the “Armenian “Yerevan-2800” is Vardan Vardanyan Carpet” series of coins are Anna Khachatryan and Vardan Vardanyan.

VARDAN VARDANYAN is an architect by ANNA KHACHATRYAN is an employee of profession. He is known as a designer of the the Central Bank of Armenia, a specialist in issuing Republic of Armenia stamps and collector coins. notes and coins, a candidate of psychological Of his works, the stamp “Europe” in 2009 was rec- sciences. ognized the best in the contest of works by 50 She authored a number of scientific works on European postal operators. The collector coin national signs and symbols. She is the co-compiler dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian of the book “Notes and Coins of the Republic of book printing was recognized the best at the 10th Armenia” and the annual journal “Collector Coins international competition held in Vicenza, Italy, in of the Republic of Armenia”. CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA BANK OF CENTRAL 2013. 38 rim –afragmentfromtranslatedtoArmeniancuneiform Reverse: afragmentfromA.Harutiunyan H. Rukhkyan sculpture inscription aboutthefoundationofErebunifortress. Obverse: thecoatofarmscityYerevanwith building of uniy110pcs ribbed proof 26,0mm 10,0g Quantity Edge Quality gold999,9 Diameter Weight Metal/fineness Museum-Reserve againstthefragmentfrom an inscriptionnotifying2800 “ King Argishtiandthecityfounders Minted intheLithuanianMint. Designed byAramUrutyan. “ ’ Erebuni s of foundationthecity. The CBAin2018initiatedissuanceof “ commemorative medalsaspartofthearrangementsforcelebration Erebuni forever of 2800yearsfoundationthecapitalArmenia,Yerevan. ” Historical andArcheological ” painting. Alongthe th YEREVAN-2800 anniversary O ’ s monumental ” at the uniy1000pcs ribbed proof 32,0mm 17,5g Quantity Edge Quality silver925 Diameter Weight Metal/fineness “ Yerevan-2800 “ 782 BC Obverse: thecoatofarmscity Reverse: aplanofErebunicitadeland anniversary offoundationthecity. Yerevan and Designed byVaheMuradyan. Minted intheMintofPoland. ” – theyearoffoundationYerevan. ” gold andsilver “ 2800 ” standing for O

39 CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA COLLECTOR COINS 2018 Content

Foreword 2

Collector Coins-2018 4

Armenian Statehood Centenary of the first Republic of Armenia 6

Armenian Statehood 25 Years of National Currency 8

History of Armenia Yerevan-2800 10

History of Armenia Centenary of Sardarapat Battle 12

Sport 2018 Football World Championship 14

Celebrities Hovhannes Zardaryan 16

Nature Pottery of the Worl 18

Armenian Culture Armenian Carpet 22

Collector coins of the Republic of Armenia by series and years of issue (1994-2018) 29

2019 Armenian Collector Coins Issue Program 34

Mints 36

Internal Contest - 2018 38

Yerevan-2800 39

40 CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA

COLLECTOR COINS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA 2018 ÐÐ Ï»ÝïñáÝ³Ï³Ý µ³ÝÏÇ Ññ³ï³ñ³ÏáõÃÛáõÝ

Publication of the Central Bank of Armenia

Compiled by Suren Simonyan, Nune Teryan, Anna Khachatryan Edited by Haroutyun Hambardzumyan, Ruzanna Vardanyan, Gohar Hovhannisyan Designed by Aram Urutyan

Number of copies 500

cba.am CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA