RA Silver - 2024 - 100 dram - Edgar Chahine: 150th Birth Anniversary

RA Silver Commemorative - 265

Obverse: Features a portrait of Edgar Chahine alongside his etching Brunette and Blonde (1907), also in the National Gallery of Armenia. The Armenian inscription reads “Էդգար Շահին” (Edgar Chahine), along with his birth and death years (1874–1947).

Reverse: Depicts Edgar Chahine’s etching Ghemma (1910), housed in the National Gallery of Armenia. The inscription "REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA" appears in Armenian, along with the coin’s denomination and a depiction of the Armenian coat of arms.

Denomination: 100 dram
Metal: Silver .925
Weight: 28.28g
Diameter: 28x40mm
Edge: Plain
Mintage: 300 pcs.
Strike quality: BU
Designer: Lusine Lalayan
Mint: Poland

This coin honors the 150th anniversary of Edgar Chahine’s birth, commemorating the influential French-Armenian artist celebrated for his contributions to painting, engraving, and illustration. Born in Vienna in 1874, Chahine was educated in the Mkhitaryan School in Constantinople and later at the Moorat-Raphael College in Venice. He moved to Paris in 1893, where he attended the Académie Julian and began his career as an artist. By 1896, Chahine was exhibiting his paintings, and from 1899, his etchings brought him international acclaim.

Chahine’s works, such as Anatole France, The Rag Gathering Woman, and Promenade, reflect the hardships and beauty of everyday life, showcasing his mastery in various printmaking techniques, including dry point, etching, soft varnish, and aquatint. Throughout his career, Chahine received numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris, the grand prize at the 1903 Venice Biennale, and the Order of the French Legion of Honor in 1932.

Chahine’s works are housed in major collections, including the National Gallery of Armenia, the National Library of France, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. In 1991, the Edgar Chahine Museum was established near the Saint-Michel Monastery in France, further cementing his legacy in the world of art.