Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) 1 Dram 2004

History

1 Dram 2004, KM# 9, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Saint Gregory the Illuminator

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

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	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Eagle Coat of arms Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Flag Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) 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	Person (religious figure) Gregory the Illuminator Depicts Saint Gregory the Illuminator facing, value on the right and date below. Saint Gregory the Illuminator (Grigor Lusavorich, c. 257 – c. 331) is the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He was a religious leader who is credited with converting Armenia from paganism to Christianity in 301. Armenia thus became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion. SAINT GREGORY 1 DRAM 2004
Edge	Plain