November 8, 2013 - 19:45 AMT
ARTICLE
From the history of Armenian coins: Soviet commemorative coins dedicated to Armenia
68 types of commemorative coins were minted during the period between 1965 and 1991 out of copper-nickel alloy.
68 types of commemorative coins were minted during the period between 1965 and 1991 out of copper-nickel alloy. 3 of them - Earthquake, Matenadaran and David of Sassoun - were dedicated to Armenia.

Earthquake coin was put into circulation on December 7, 1989, a year after the devastating quake, and had the value of 3 rubles.

Description of the coin:

Metal: copper-nickel alloy; Weight: 14,35 (+0,2/-1,0)gr; Diameter: 33,0 (+0,25)mm; Thickness: 2,3 (±0,3); Milled edge: with inscription; Quantity: 3 million coins.

The obverse features the USSR emblem. The reverse shows five hands, as a symbol of assistance rendered from 5 continents, holding a cup with eternal flame, with Mount Ararat depicted as a bird’s wings at the background. All inscriptions are in Russian. The coins were minted in Leningrad (Saint Petersburg).

Matenadaran

The commemorative coin featuring the building of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Matenadaran, was put into circulation on October 31, 1990 and had the value of 5 rubles.

Description of the coin:

Metal: copper-nickel alloy; Weight: 19,8 (+0,2/-1,0)gr; Diameter: 35,0 (+0,25)mm; Thickness: 2,6 (±0,3); Milled edge: with inscription; Quantity: 3 million coins.

The obverse features the USSR emblem. The reverse shows the Armenian alphabet with Matenadaran building at the background. All inscriptions are in Russian. The coins were minted in Leningrad.

David of Sassoun

The commemorative coin featuring the monument to the hero of Armenian legend David of Sassoun was put into circulation on November 13, 1991 and had the value of 3 rubles.

Description of the coin:

Metal: copper-nickel alloy; Weight: 19,8 (+0,2/-1,0)gr; Diameter: 35,0 (+0,25)mm; Thickness: 2,6 (±0,3); Milled edge: with inscription; Quantity: 2.5 million coins.

The obverse features the USSR emblem. The reverse shows the monument to David of Sassoun. All inscriptions are in Russian. The coins were minted in Leningrad.

The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan, the numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.

Viktoria Araratyan / PanARMENIAN.Net, Varo Rafayelyan / PanARMENIAN Photo