The Central Bank of Armenia issued a commemorative coin dedicated to Sergei Parajanov within the frameworks of "World's famous directors" numismatic program.

Parajanov was one of the greatest 20th century cinematographers who developed a unique language of film. The world of his films is a magical mixture of colors, music and words. His works are often displays of interpenetrating elements of the Orient and the Occident. Of particular interest are the exceptional collages made from magazines, fabrics, leather, glass, wax and other less than conventional materials.

Parajanov was certainly a controversial figure – the views he represented and his artistic independence became the target of repressions by the Soviet authorities, and his life and works became the subject of many a story and legend.

Obverse:
In the background a fragment of a collage by Parajanov. To the left an image of Parajanov produced based on a photograph by Y. Mechitov. In the foreground a film camera, to its wright – a ripe pomegranate which symbolizes Armenia, thus to its left – the mint’s mark (m/w). Below the national emblem of the Republic of Armenia and the coin’s face value in English – 100 DRAM. Below, an inscription in English: Republic of Armenia, and to the left, vertically, the same in Armenian, along with the year of issue (2012).

Reverse:
In the central part of the coin an image of Parajanov produced based on a photograph by Y. Mechitov. Above a stylized inscription in English: Sergei Parajanov. In the top right corner fragment of one of his collages. Below a picture of the original signature of Parajanov which is combined with another work by the artist – an image of an “old coin” made from an aluminum bottle cap. To the left the following inscription – 1924-1990 (the years of Parajanov’s birth and death).

Designer: Urszula Walerzak

Source of information: Central Bank of Armenia