Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Luma 2013, KM# 27, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Animals, Antelope
  • 50 Luma 2013, KM# 27, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Animals, Antelope
Description

The Republic of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, was a de facto independent republic in the South Caucasus that declared independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 amidst the collapse of the Soviet Union. Predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, Artsakh maintained a self-governed status, supported politically and militarily by Armenia, despite lacking international recognition. Its capital was Stepanakert, and its culture and governance were deeply tied to Armenian traditions and history. The region was a focal point of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, culminating in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War and subsequent tensions. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained control over the territory, prompting a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians, effectively ending Artsakh’s existence as an autonomous entity.

Obverse

Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh.

The emblem of the Republic of Artsakh consists of an eagle wearing an ornamented crown. On the chest of the eagle is a shield with a panorama of a mountain range and under it a vertically set Flag of Artsakh. Over this are the two stone heads of "Granny and Gramps" (Տատիկ և Պապիկ, Tatik yev Papik) from the We Are Our Mountains monument in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. The eagle's feet clutch various agricultural products including wheat and grapes. The outer rim is made up of a golden circular ribbon bearing inscription "Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն-Արցախ" ("Artsakh Republic of Mountainous Karabakh") in Eastern Armenian. In the eagle's talons are various agricultural products including wheat and grapes.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH
ԼԵՌՆԱՅԻՆ ՂԱՐԱԲԱՂԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
ԱՐՑԱԽ
REPUBLIC

Reverse

Depicts a grained antelope walking to left, value above and date below.

An antelope is an even-toed ungulate native to Africa and Eurasia, belonging to the family Bovidae but distinct from cattle, sheep, goats, and similar species. Typically more deer-like, antelopes are grouped as a "herd." The word "antelope" originated in 1417 from Old French antelop, tracing back to Byzantine Greek anthólops, a term for a mythical creature with saw-like horns. Its etymology possibly relates to Greek words for "flower" (anthos) and "eye" (ops), referring to the animal's beauty or eyelashes, though this may be folk interpretation. By 1607, it was applied to real, cervine animals.

50 LUMA
2013

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Aluminium
Weight 0.95 g
Diameter 19.8 mm
Thickness 1.4 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kremnica Mint (MK)

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