RA Gold - 1998 - 10,000 dram - 1700th Anniversary of Christian Armenia, Etchmiadzin

RA Gold Commemorative - 2

Obverse: Depiction of the Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, built in the early 4th century shortly after Armenia adopted Christianity as the state religion. The inscriptions include "301-2001" to signify the 1700th anniversary, and the word "Ս. ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ" ("Holy Etchmiadzin"). Below the cathedral is the number "1700" with "CHRISTIAN ARMENIA" in both Armenian ("ԿՐԻՍՏՈՆԵԱՅ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ") and English, along with "H. ETCHMIADZIN".

Reverse: Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia, featuring an eagle and a lion supporting a shield with symbols representing Armenian heritage. Below the coat of arms is the denomination "10000" with "ԴՐԱՄ" ("dram") underneath, and the year of issue "1998". The Armenian inscription around the upper edge reads: "ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ" ("Republic of Armenia").

Denomination: 10,000 dram
Metal: Gold 900
Weight: 8.60 g
Diameter: 22 mm
Mintage: 1,700 pcs
Edge: Plain
Strike Quality: Proof

This commemorative coin honors the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity as the state religion, an event that took place in 301 AD, making Armenia the first nation to officially embrace Christianity. Shortly thereafter, the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin was built in Vagharshapat, the old Armenian capital. According to tradition, Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Jesus Christ descending from heaven, directing the construction of the cathedral at the site, thus the name "Etchmiadzin," meaning "The Only Begotten descended."

The Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, founded by King Tiridat III and Gregory the Illuminator, was the first centrally-domed building in Armenian architecture and served as a model for many subsequent churches in Armenia and beyond. The cathedral, which suffered damage during the Persian invasions in the 4th century, was restored in 483 by Vahan Mamikonyan. As the Chair of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the cathedral has played a crucial role in unifying Armenians worldwide and fostering patriotic sentiments among the Armenian diaspora. Today, it remains a significant symbol of Armenian heritage and faith, representing the deep-rooted Christian identity of the Armenian people.