Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Dram 2004, KM# 10, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Animals, Cheetah
  • 1 Dram 2004, KM# 10, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Animals, Cheetah
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

Cheetah and cub facing, value above and date below.

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae that occurs mainly in eastern and southern Africa and a few parts of Iran. The cheetah is characterised by a slender body, deep chest, spotted coat, a small rounded head, black tear-like streaks on the face, long thin legs and a long spotted tail. Its lightly built, slender form is in sharp contrast with the robust build of the big cats, making it more similar to the cougar. The cheetah reaches nearly 70 to 90 cm (28 to 35 in) at the shoulder, and weighs 21–72 kg (46–159 lb). Though taller than the leopard, it is notably smaller than the lion. Typically yellowish tan or rufous to greyish white, the coat is uniformly covered with nearly 2,000 solid black spots.

The cheetah's body is specialised for speed; it is the fastest land animal. The speed of a hunting cheetah averages 64 km/h (40 mph) during a sprint; the chase is interspersed with a few short bursts of speed, when the animal can attain 112 km/h (70 mph), although this is disputed by more recent measurements.

1 DRAM
2004

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Aluminium
Weight 1.13 g
Diameter 21.7 mm
Thickness 1.5 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kremnica Mint (MK)

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