Catalog
5000 Dram Holy Cross Church
| Issuer | Central Bank of Armenia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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| Obverse description | The Armenian National Coat of Arms occupies the central field, featuring a crowned shield supported by an eagle and a lion, with a sword, a branch, a sheaf of wheat, and a chain at the base. The circular Armenian legend ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ (Republic of Armenia) runs along the upper periphery. The denomination 5000 ԴՐԱՄ is inscribed in two lines below the arms, with the date 1999 in the exergue, flanked by two small star ornaments. |
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| Edge | Reeded |
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| Additional information |
The Holy Cross Church (Surb Khach) on Akdamar Island in Lake Van was built between 915 and 921 AD under the Armenian king Gagik I Artsruni of Vaspurakan. By 1999, the church sat within the borders of Turkey, making this coin's subject quietly pointed — Armenia issuing a commemorative honoring one of the great monuments of medieval Armenian architecture located on territory it does not control. Regular Armenian Apostolic services at the site had been suspended since 1915.