Abkhazia 1 Apsar 2025

History

Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru

Description

Abkhazia is a partially recognized country in the South Caucasus, located on the Black Sea coast. It declared independence from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, but most of the world still considers it part of Georgian territory. Recognized by only a few countries, including Russia, Abkhazia operates with its own government and institutions. Its capital is Sukhumi, and the region is known for its subtropical climate and scenic landscapes, though its political status remains a point of international tension.

Ancient Dioscurias was a Greek colony founded in the 6th century BCE on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, in the area of present-day Sukhumi, Abkhazia. Named after the twin gods Castor and Pollux, it became an important trade center connecting Greek merchants with the tribes of the Caucasus. The city later came under Roman influence but gradually declined due to natural disasters and shifting coastlines. Though much of it is now submerged, Dioscurias is remembered as one of the earliest and most significant settlements in the region.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Horse Coat of arms Abkhazia Rider Horseman Depicts the State Emblem of the Republic of Abkhazia in the center, with the denomination positioned above and the inscription "Bank of Abkhazia" in the Abkhaz language below. The mintmark of the Moscow Mint (MMD) appears on the right side. At the bottom, five lines of micro-engraved text repeat "Bank of Abkhazia," accompanied by the year of minting in recessed lettering. The coat of arms of the Republic of Abkhazia, adopted in 1992 after its declaration of independence from Georgia, features a vertically divided green and white shield symbolizing life and spirituality. At its center is a golden horseman on the mythical steed Arash, shooting an arrow toward the stars—an image from the Narts epic. Three eight-pointed stars, representing the sun and the union of East and West, are placed above and below the figure, highlighting Abkhazia’s cultural heritage and aspirations. 1 ҦСАРК ММД АҦСНЫ АБАНК 2025
Reverse	Coin, banknote Coin Depicts an ancient copper coin from Dioscurias, a city that once stood in the area of modern-day Sukhumi. The coin shown is a dichalkon from the late 2nd to early 1st century BCE. The main feature is a pair of Dioscuri caps—the distinctive headgear of the mythological twins Castor and Pollux, who took part in the Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece. Above the caps are six-pointed “Pontic” stars. The image is framed by a beaded border pattern.
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