January 24th, 2012. 6 new collector coins have been issued by the Central Bank of Armenia. 3 coins are made of gold and 3 coins are made of silver.

Tercentenary of Sayat-Nova’s birth.

This gold collector coin issued by the Central Bank of Armenia is dedicated to the tercentenary of Sayat-Nova’s birth.Sayat-Nova (1712-1795), a prominent Armenian poet and bard. There are more than 200 songs which we have from Sayat-Nova, and love is the prevailing theme there. He also wrote songs with exhortation touch. As a musician, he sang while playing on qamancha, an old string instrument. His art had a great influence on the development of bard art in Transcaucasia. Sayat-Nova’s character has been reflected in literature, in the works of fine arts, music, theater and cinema

Mintage: 1000
Quality: Proof
Face value: 10000 dram
Metal: Gold
Purity: 0.9
Weight: 8.6g
Diameter: 22mm
Year: 2012
Type: Commemorative coin
Shape and style: Round
Edge: Reeded
Mint: The Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht (the Netherlands)

The 20th anniversary of liberation of Shushi

This gold collector coin is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of liberation of Shushi (Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh). On May 8, 1992, self-defense forces of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh liberated the town of Shushi under the command of Colonel Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan. Obverse of the coin depicts St. Savior Church of Ghazanchetsots in Shushi. Reverse of the coin depicts the Golden Eagle Medal and the Emblem of the Armed Forces of Armenia. The Golden Eagle Medal is given to persons who have been rewarded as Hero of Artsakh.

Mintage: 500
Quality: Proof
Face value: 10000 dram
Metal: Gold
Purity: 0.9
Weight: 8.6g
Diameter: 22mm
Year: 2012
Type: Commemorative coin
Shape and style: Round
Edge: Reeded
Mint: The Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht (the Netherlands)

The 20th anniversary of formation of Armenian Army

This gold collector coin is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of formation of Armenian Army (January 28, 1992). Reverse of the coin depicts Emblem of Armed Forces of Armenia and Order of Motherland. Order of Motherland is rewarded to those who are honored with the highest rank of the National Hero of Armenia. The rank has been introduced since April 22, 1994. It is awarded to people in service for defense and strengthening of law, as well as for exclusive service to the Republic of Armenia in creating substantial national values.

Mintage: 500
Quality: Proof
Face value: 10000 dram
Metal: Gold
Purity: 0.9
Weight: 8.6g
Diameter: 22mm
Year: 2012
Type: Commemorative coin
Shape and style: Round
Edge: Reeded
Mint: The Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht (the Netherlands)
Designer: Haroutiun Samuelian

The 20th anniversary of formation of Armenian Army

This silver collector coin is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of formation of Armenian Army (January 28, 1992
Reverse of the coin depicts Emblem of Armed Forces of Armenia and Order of Motherland. Order of Motherland is rewarded to those who are honored with the highest rank of the National Hero of Armenia. The rank has been introduced since April 22, 1994. It is awarded to people in service for defense and strengthening of law, as well as for exclusive service to the Republic of Armenia in creating substantial national values.

Mintage: 500
Quality: Proof
Face value: 1000 dram
Metal: Silver
Purity: 0.925
Weight: 33.6g
Diameter: 40mm
Year: 2012
Type: Commemorative coin
Shape and style: Octagon
Edge: Reeded
Mint: The Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht (the Netherlands)
Designer: Haroutiun Samuelian

The 125th anniversary of birth of Hovsep Orbeli

This silver collector coin is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of birth of Hovsep Orbeli (1887-1961), an outstanding orientalist, archaeologist and public figure. He was the first chairman of the National Academy of Science of Armenia, and director of the Hermitage of Leningrad in the period 1934-1951. Orbeli took part in excavations of Ani, west Armenia, joined a number of other archeological campaigns. He prepared the scientific description of what he found in Ani and the reliable guide of architectural and archeological memorials of Ani and the suburbs. Orbeli did a great job in obtaining items from private collections and making them a public property. He also devoted himself to compilation and translation activities as he wrote dialect dictionaries and translated the works of Armenian historians.

Mintage: 500
Quality: Proof
Face value: 1000 dram
Metal: Silver
Purity: 0.925
Weight: 33.6g
Diameter: 40mm
Year: 2012
Type: Commemorative coin
Shape and style: Round
Edge: Reeded
Mint: The Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht (the Netherlands)
Designer: Vardan Vardanyan

The 500th anniversary of Armenian book printing

This silver collector coin is dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian book printing.The first Armenian print book, Urbatagirq, was printed in Venice, Italy, in 1512 by Hakob Meghapart. The font of the book is orbicular and the printing bi-colored, in black and red. The work got his title presumably on a basis of the word Friday which was thought to be a day influenced by mascot, while those using the book were called Urbatatesq (“Friday-imaged”). Urbatagirq is a collection of prayers and wishes: it includes extensive sections from the Gospel and the poem Book of Lamentation by Grigor Narekatsi.Hakob Meghapart is the first Armenian printer, the beginner and founder of Armenian printing. His work was launched in Venice in early 16th century. The first Armenian mint founded by Meghapart started in 1512-1513 and it published probably 6 titles of books (5 of which survived). These are: Urbatagirq, Pataragatetr, Aghtarq, Parzatumar and Tagharan. Pages of Hakob Meghapart books are patterned. Books are small by size and cased with leather ornament. Hakob Meghapart is the pioneer in the Armenian typography. There is printing house after his name and a statue to him.

Mintage: 500
Quality: Proof
Face value: 1000 dram
Metal: Silver
Purity: 0.925
Weight: 33.6g
Diameter: 40mm
Year: 2012
Type: Commemorative coin
Shape and style: Round, Coloured
Edge: Reeded
Mint: The Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht (the Netherlands)
Designer: Vardan Vardanyan

Source of information: Central Bank of Armenia