RA Gold - 2006 - 10,000 dram - Komitas: 100th Anniversary of Birth

RA Gold Commemorative - 13

Obverse: Portrait of Komitas (Soghomon Soghomonyan, 1869-1935), a renowned Armenian composer and ethnomusicologist, shown in profile. The Armenian inscription reads: "ԿՈՄԻՏԱՍ" ("Komitas"), and the English inscription is "KOMITAS." The dates "1869-1935" are also inscribed, commemorating his life and legacy.

Reverse: The reverse features an artistic depiction of musical notes, including Armenian khaz notation, symbolizing Komitas's contributions to Armenian music. The background shows stylized sheet music, representing his role in preserving and promoting Armenian folk music. The denomination "10000" is prominently displayed with "ԴՐԱՄ" ("dram") underneath, and the year "2006." The Armenian inscription around the upper edge reads: "ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԿԵՆՏՐՈՆԱԿԱՆ ԲԱՆԿ" ("Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia").

Denomination: 10,000 dram
Metal: Gold 999
Weight: 8.60 g
Diameter: 22 mm
Mintage: 1,000 pcs
Edge: Reeded
Strike Quality: Proof
Designer: E. Kurghinyan
Mint: Mint of Poland

This commemorative coin celebrates Komitas (Soghomon Soghomonyan, 1869-1935), a pivotal figure in Armenian musical culture and the founder of the Armenian national classical composer school. As a Vardapet (archimandrite), Komitas dedicated his life to studying, preserving, and performing Armenian folk and religious music. He created a choir and performed concerts across many countries, introducing Armenian musical traditions to European audiences.

Komitas was one of the early scholars to study khaz, the ancient Armenian musical notation, contributing greatly to understanding and preserving Armenian musical heritage. His influence extended beyond Armenia, as he became a member of international music societies and helped spread Armenian folk and liturgical songs in cultural centers across Europe. The music of Komitas played a significant role in the development of Eastern music and contributed to the worldwide recognition and expansion of Armenian popular songs. This coin honors his extraordinary impact on both Armenian and international music.