Money of Armenia: description and interesting facts

Armenia has an ancient and rich history. There is a hypothesis that this state existed in the sixth century BC. E. At that time it was the lands of Urartu, conquered by the Aryans. After a while, Armenia appeared as a separate, independent state. And then the first national money of this country was made.

A bit of history

The state currency of Armenia appeared at the beginning of the first century AD. E. And was called a drama. The dram was equal to 100 loumas (hundredth part). On the coins King Tigran the First was depicted. Then the images of his followers were minted. Coins were made of silver and by weight did not differ from other metal currency.

During the reign of the Mamluks, Armenian money temporarily ceased to exist. When the country became part of the Russian Empire, in the course were rubles. Again, Armenia's money was printed only in 1917, after the October Revolution. A new currency was being prepared in London. Then this money was replaced by Soviet rubles.

Revival of the Armenian currency

The Central Bank of Armenia was established in the ninety-third year. He returned the currency to use, setting the course of the Armenian dram. First money was printed in Germany, and until 1995, banknotes had 8 denominations. All of them were executed in a classical style with light fields and a simple seal.

Coins were minted from aluminum: 3 types of loumes and 4 denominations of AMD. Despite the fact that their design was quite simple, at present, money made in the period from 1993 to 1998, acquire the status of collectible and every year they are appreciated more and more.

Design of banknotes

Modern money in Armenia in the form of notes have 9 denominations. But banknotes of denomination of 50, 100 and 500 AMD from circulation have been withdrawn. Modern Armenian bills are constantly being updated. Added security elements from counterfeits.

50 drams the size of 122x65 mm were made with a pink tint. They were released in 1998, and in 2004 they were withdrawn from use. On the front side of the notes was the image of the composer Khachaturian, next to it - the building of the Yerevan theater. On the reverse side - a ballet episode and Mount Ararat.

100 drams, the size of 122x65 mm, printed with a blue tint. The obverse depicted a portrait of astrophysicist Ambartsumian. To his right is a fragment of the cosmos. On the other side - Byurakan Observatory. The banknotes were issued only in 1998, and in 2004 they were withdrawn from use.

500 AMD 129х72 mm in size were printed in gray-red colors. On the front side was a portrait of the architect Tamyanin. On the reverse side of the banknote is an image of the building of the Armenian government. The banknotes were issued only in 1999 and in 2004 were withdrawn from circulation.

The rest of Armenia's money in the form of banknotes is still in circulation (denominations in drams are indicated):

• 1000 - green-pink color, the size of 136x72 mm. On the bill there is a writer Egishe Charents, Mount Ararat and a horse with a cart. They were published in 1999, 2001 and 2011.
• 5000 - brown-green color, the size of 143x72 mm. The bill features a writer Hovhannes Tumanyan, a painting and a natural landscape. They were published in 1999, 2003, 2009 and 2012.
• 10000 - purple color, the size is 150x72 mm. On the bill, the writer Avetik Isahakyan is depicted and a view of Gyumri. They were published in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2012.
• 20000 - in yellow, orange and brown hues, measuring 155x72 mm. The bill depicts the artist Saryan and a fragment of the landscape. They were published in 1999, 2007, 2009 and 2012.
• 50000 - gray-brown color, the size of 160x79 mm. On the bill there is a cathedral, st. Gregory, King Trdat the Great and the monastery in the background of Mount Ararat. They were published in 2001.
• 100000 - blue-brown colors, the size of 160x72 mm. The bill depicts King Abgar and the apostle Thaddeus. Published in 2009

Coin design

Armenia's money of a modern pattern in the form of coins has six denominations. They were minted in the period from 2003 to 2004. All coins are made of steel with nickel, copper or brass coating. Except for 10 drams. It is made of aluminum. Coins of 200 and 500 denominations are struck from copper alloys with nickel plated coating. Collector's dramas were made of gold, silver and copper-nickel alloys.

Currently, coin drama is not used in everyday life, but is still the official currency. The reverse of the coins indicates the nominal value. A signature "dram" is engraved nearby. The picture of the edging is different. The obverse is the Armenian coat of arms. On the circle of coins (except for denominations of ten drams) is the inscription "Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia".

Courses and currency exchange

In the ninety-third year Modern money was printed in Armenia. The rate to the ruble at the time was 1: 200. In 2012, the data changed to a ratio of 12.84: 1. In accordance with the international situation and the situation inside the country, the course of the Armenian dram is periodically changing. At the end of 2016, it is 13.54: 1.

Exchange can be made in large hotels, shops, shopping and entertainment centers. But in the provinces exchangers are much less common. There, the currency changes mainly in banks. Since there are not very many ATMs in Armenia yet, the use of debit and credit cards is not set at a high pace. In the provincial cities, the population is accustomed to using exclusively cash.