RA Gold - 2008 - 1,000,000 dram - Armenian Catholicoi of the 20th Century

RA Gold Commemorative - 22

Obverse: Depicts the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin at the center, surrounded by the portraits of the Armenian Catholicoi of the 20th century. Each portrait is accompanied by the name of the Catholicos and their period of rule. The Armenian inscription "XX ԴԱՐԻ ՀԱՅՈՑ ԿԱԹՈՂԻԿՈՍՆԵՐ" ("20th Century Armenian Catholicoi") is also included.

Reverse: Features the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia in the center. The denomination "1000000" is displayed below, with "ԴՐԱՄ" ("dram") beneath it and the year "2008" above. The inscription around the edge reads: "ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ" ("Republic of Armenia") and is also presented in English as "REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA".

Denomination: 1,000,000 dram
Metal: Gold 999
Weight: 1,000.0 g
Diameter: 90 mm
Mintage: 25 pcs
Edge: Plain, numbered
Strike Quality: Proof
Designer: Haroutiun Samuelian
Mint: Mint of Poland

This commemorative coin honors the Armenian Catholicoi who served throughout the 20th century, reflecting their significant contributions to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Catholicoi featured are:

Mkrtich I Vanetsi Khrimyan (Khrimyan Hayrik) (1820–1892–1907)
Mateos II Kostandnupolsetsi Izmirlyan (1845–1908–1910)
Gevorg V Tpghisetsi Surenyants (1847–1911–1930)
Khoren I Muradbekyan (1873–1932–1938)
Gevorg VI Cheorekchyan (1868–1945–1954)
Vasken I Paljyan (1908–1955–1994)
Karekin I Sargisyan (1932–1995–1999)

These Catholicoi played pivotal roles in preserving the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage through turbulent times. The Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, depicted on the coin, symbolizes the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This impressive 1 kg gold coin serves as a tribute to their legacy and contributions to the Armenian Church and nation.