Armenia - 2018 Third Series Hybrid Commemorating 25th Anniversary of National Currency 1993-2018, Dram

Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն

Hayastani Hanrapetut’yun

Republic of Armenia

Central Bank of Republic of Armenia

Here is a complete set of 6 notes issued on 22/11/2018 and 25/12/2018. This is the third series of Armenian banknotes since regaining its independence on 21/09/1991 following the collapsed of the Soviet Union empire. Prior to that, Armenia has a long history of issuing its own currency since 1919.

This series comprises of six denominations - 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 Dram (֏). The theme for this third series are famous citizens/Armenians and monuments. According to the Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia, Arthur Javadyan, these notes, together with the 500 dram 2017 collector's note are issued to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Armenian currency. The top 3 denominations were first issued on 22/11/2018 and the remaining 3 notes on 25/12/2018. Modem Armenian dram came into effect from 22/11/1993. The currency Dram means money in Armenian. This is the first time a 2000 dram value is introduced for circulation. The 100000 dram is not included in this series.

All these notes are printed on Louisenthal's Hybrid substrate with a cotton core and sandwiched by two thin polyester layers to increase its durability. These notes are designed by Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) and Louisenthal. This is the second time the central bank issued hybrid banknotes. The first was the 500 Dram Noah Ark commemorative note issued in 2017.

Main designs/features
1000 Dram - poet Paruyr Sevek 1924-1971 | Paruyr Sevek's home/museum in Zangakatun;
2000 Dram - chess grandmaster Tigran Petrosian 1929-1984 | Tigran Petrosian Chess House in Yerevan and his statue;
5000 Dram - writer and dramatist William Saroyan 1908-1981 | his statue in Yerevan
10000 Dram - composer Komitas Vardapet 1869-1935 | Komitas monument in Etchmiadzin, Gevorgian Seminary bldg;
20000 Dram - seascape artist Hovhannes (Ivan) Aivazosky 1817-1900 | Hovhannes Aivazosky monument in Yerevan, Aivazosky Art Gallery; and
50000 Dram - Saint Gregory the Illuminator 257AD-331AD | Saint Gregory the Illuminator's tombstone in Etchmiadzin.

One Thousand Dram

Dated 2018

Reverse

Two Thousand Dram

Dated 2018

Reverse

Five Thousand Dram

Dated 2018

Reverse

Ten Thousand Dram

Dated 2018

Reverse

Twenty Thousand Dram

Dated 2018

Reverse

Fifty Thousand Dram

Add caption

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Footnote:
Armenia is the only second country that has issued all its banknotes printed on Hybrid materials. Bermuda was the first in 2009.

...Armenia - 500 Dram 2017 Commemorative "Noah’s Ark" Hybrid Note

The Republic of Armenia
Noah's Ark Commemorative

A commemorative note of 500 Dram released on 22.11.2017. This note commemorates Noah's Ark and is issued in a folder format. The banknote has been printed on Hybrid material - a high quality composite substrate based on a cotton paper, which is covered with thin polyester layers on both sides. The note also has a transparent window.

Front: Images of Reliquary with a fragment of Noah’s Ark and Monastery of Etchmiadzin (Mother of See Holy Etchmiadzin in Vagharshapat), Mount Ararat on the background. A free flying dove holding an olive branch in it's beak, signifying that dry land had was sighted. Both the watermark and the transparent window has the image of Noah's Ark.

Dated 2017

 Back: Images of Noah and his family with domestic and wild animals around them, with an eagle flying above them. The eagle is the national bird of Armenia. The back ground is Mount Ararat.

Reverse

Security Features: Watermark, Security Thread, Transparent Window, Intaglio Printing, Microtext and Microimages, UV Feature, Kinegram and Optically Variable Ink.

Signatures: Central Bank of Armenia, Bank Chairman (Բանկի նախագահը) – Arthur Javadyan; and the Minister of Finance (Ֆինանսների նախարար) of Armenia – Vardan Aramyan.
Serial Prefix: ՆՏ (NT). NT stands for "Noyan Tapan" (Noah's Ark in Armenian)
Issued Date: 22.11.2017
Quantity: 300,000 pieces issued in an informative folder
Size: 140mm x 76mm
Imprinter: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
Issue Price: 1,700 Dram each
Initial Restriction: 2 sets per person at the bank

As this is a numismatic product issued with a premium, it is unlikely the banknotes will be seen in general circulation. 

Front Cover

My personal opinion: -
I am not here to promote the Noah's Ark story. I have nothing against the story and whether you believe this or not is entirely up to you. As a collector, I am happy to see this commemorative issued.

Armenia - 50000 Dram 2001 Commemorative

The choice of colours for this note is very unusual. It reminds me of those old notes issued where only few colours were used. For this note, it's all brown and grey, from very light to dark brown.

This commemorative note was issued in 2001, celebrating the country's 1700th of Anniversary of proclaiming Christianity in Armenia as State religion (301-2001). Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. At the time of this issue, it was the largest denomination ever issued in Armenia. Only two prefixes printed with “ԷԱ” (EA) and “ԷԲ” (EB). This note is measured 160mm x 79mm.

The design of the note; -

Front: Depiction of Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin and a part of the arch. This church is located in the town of Vagharshapat in Armenia. The church was built between 301-303 by Saint Gregory The Illuminator;

Back; A cross-stone from Kecharis and a symbol of Christianity - Armenian Church in the hands of Saint Gregory The Illuminator and the King Trdat (Tiridates) the Great, Mount Ararat. Saint Gregory The Illuminatorwas the first head of the Echmiadzin Cathedral church. In the year 301, Saint Gregory The Illuminator baptised King Trdat and the members of the Royal Court as Christians.

Watermark: One big and two small crosses.

Signatures: Tigran Sargsyan (CBA Chairman) and Vardan Khachatryan (RA Minister of Finance)
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient, Germany
Release date: 04.06.2001

Fifty Thousand Dram

Dated 2001

Reverse