RA Gold - 2020 - 10,000 dram - Hrachia Nersisyan: 125th Birth Anniversary

RA Gold Commemorative - 96

Obverse: Displays a portrait of Hrachia Nersisyan, a prominent Armenian actor known for his significant contributions to Armenian theater and cinema. To the right, the Armenian inscription reads "Հրաչյա Ներսիսյան" ("Hrachia Nersisyan") alongside his birth and death years "1895-1961," and the inscription "125 ԱՄՅԱԿ" ("125th Anniversary").

Reverse: Features a fragment of the bas-relief from the memorial dedicated to Nersisyan, symbolizing his lasting legacy. The denomination "10,000 ԴՐԱՄ" ("dram") and the year "2020" are inscribed alongside "Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն" ("Republic of Armenia").

Denomination: 10,000 dram
Metal: Gold 900
Weight: 8.60g
Diameter: 22mm
Mintage: 300 pcs
Edge: Reeded
Strike Quality: Proof
Designer: Nerses Kirakosyan (obverse) / Stepan Kyurkchyan (reverse)
Mint: Lithuanian Mint

This commemorative coin was issued to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Hrachia Nersisyan (1895-1961), a leading figure in Armenian theater and cinema. Nersisyan’s acting career began in Constantinople, where he honed his craft in Armenian theater before moving to Soviet Armenia, where he gained widespread recognition. Nersisyan's ability to bring a wide range of characters to life, from Shakespearean heroes to iconic Armenian historical figures, earned him the title of People's Artist of the USSR.

His notable roles include performances in films such as "Namus," "Pepo," and "Davit Bek," which remain central to Armenian cinematic history. Nersisyan’s versatility and emotional depth on stage and screen left an indelible mark on Armenian culture. The obverse of the coin bears his portrait, while the reverse showcases a fragment from the memorial dedicated to him, honoring his lasting legacy in the arts.