RA Gold - 2019 - 10,000 dram - Hovhannes Tumanyan: 150th Birth Anniversary

RA Gold Commemorative - 95

Obverse: Depicts a portrait of Hovhannes Tumanyan (1869-1923), alongside his signature. The inscription "ՀՈՎՀԱՆՆԵՍ ԹՈՒՄԱՆՅԱՆ" ("Hovhannes Tumanyan") appears at the top, with his birth and death years "1869-1923" below.

Reverse: Features an illustration from Hovhannes Tumanyan’s famous poem “Akhtamar,” designed by M. Abeghyan, along with an excerpt from the poem. The denomination "10,000" and "ԴՐԱՄ" ("dram") appear at the bottom, along with the inscription "Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն" ("Republic of Armenia").

Denomination: 10,000 dram
Metal: Gold 900
Weight: 8.60g
Diameter: 22mm
Mintage: 500 pcs
Edge: Reeded
Strike Quality: Proof
Designer: Vardan Vardanyan
Mint: Lithuanian Mint

This gold commemorative coin honors the 150th birth anniversary of Hovhannes Tumanyan, one of Armenia’s greatest writers, poets, and public figures. Born in the village of Dsegh in the Lori region of Armenia, Tumanyan received his early education there before moving to Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia), where he continued his studies at the prestigious Nersisian School. Tumanyan’s literary career spanned numerous genres, including poetry, ballads, fairy tales, short stories, and quatrains. His works, filled with deep humanism, conveyed the spirit, wisdom, and oral traditions of the Armenian people.

Tumanyan’s notable works include "Anush", "David of Sassoun", "Gikor", and "Brave Nazar", among others, which have since become classics in Armenian literature. He also founded the "Vernatun" literary group in Tiflis, bringing together many prominent Armenian writers and poets. His contributions extended beyond literature, as he played an active role in helping Armenian refugees during the tragic events of World War I.

Tumanyan’s works have been translated into many languages, and his legacy continues to inspire adaptations in music, cinema, and the arts. This coin is a fitting tribute to Tumanyan’s lasting impact on Armenian literature and culture.