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1000 Dram Relics of Saint John the Baptist
| Issuer | Central Bank of Armenia |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
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| Currency | Dram (1993-date) |
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| Obverse description | The rectangular obverse features the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia centrally positioned in the upper field, depicting the Armenian eagle and lion supporters flanking a quartered shield, with a sword, chain, and olive branch beneath. Below the arms, the denomination '1000' is inscribed in large numerals, followed by 'դրամ dram' in both Armenian and Latin script. The legend 'REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA' appears in the lower field in bold Latin letters. Along the right border, the Armenian legend 'ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ' is inscribed vertically. The entire design is executed in a proof finish with a gold-plated surface. |
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| Reverse description | The rectangular reverse displays a full-color reproduction of the historic jeweled reliquary cross from Holy Etchmiadzin, believed to contain relics of Saint John the Baptist. The cross is rendered in vivid polychrome enamel and color printing, showing intricate medieval goldsmith work adorned with red and blue gemstones set in ornate foliate terminals. In the upper field, the bilingual legend 'ՍՈՒՐԲ ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ / HOLY ETCHMIADZIN' is inscribed in Armenian and Latin, with a small engraved cross to the left. Below the central motif, the Armenian legend 'ՍՈՒՐԲ ՀՈՎՀԱՆՆԵՍ ՄԿՐՏՉԻ ՄԱՍՈՒՆՔՈՎ ԽԱՉ' and its Latin equivalent 'CROSS WITH THE RELICS OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST' are inscribed, with the year '2016' and the mint mark 'ՌՆԿԵ' in the exergue. |
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| Additional information |
This piece was issued to commemorate the relic of Saint John the Baptist held at the Gandzasar Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh — one of the most venerated sites in the Armenian Apostolic Church, founded in the 13th century by the Hasan-Jalal dynasty. The monastery reportedly houses a portion of the saint's skull, a claim that has drawn pilgrims for centuries and that the Armenian Church has consistently defended as authentic.
Gold-plated silver issues of this type from the Central Bank of Armenia are produced in strictly limited quantities, typically under 2,000 pieces.