RA Gold - 2011 - 10,000 dram - Toros Roslin: 800th Birth Anniversary

RA Gold Commemorative - 43

Obverse: A detailed illustration from one of Toros Roslin’s illuminated manuscripts, depicting a biblical scene with the Virgin Mary, Christ, and other holy figures. The inscription reads "ՏՈՐՈՍ ՌՈՍԼԻՆ" ("Toros Roslin") and "800" to mark the 800th anniversary of his birth.

Reverse: An illustration featuring an angel, symbolizing Roslin’s religious works and his legacy as a miniaturist. The Armenian inscription reads: "Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Կենտրոնական Բանկ" ("Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia") along with the denomination "10,000" and the year of issue "2012."

Denomination: 10,000 dram
Metal: Gold 900
Weight: 8.60g
Diameter: 22mm
Mintage: 1,000 pcs
Edge: Reeded
Strike Quality: Proof
Designer: Eduard Kurghinyan
Mint: Royal Dutch Mint

This commemorative coin honors the 800th birth anniversary of Toros Roslin, one of the most distinguished Armenian miniaturists and scribes of the 13th century. Roslin, a leading figure in the Cilician School of Miniature, worked in the scriptorium at Hromkla and later in Sis, creating masterpieces of religious art.

His surviving works, including the Gospel of Zeitoun (1256) and the Gospel of Malatya (1268), are considered some of the finest examples of Armenian manuscript illumination and are housed in the Matenadaran in Yerevan. Roslin’s signature style, blending rich color palettes with detailed human figures and intricate decorations, earned him an esteemed place in medieval Armenian art. His works reflect not only the religious devotion of the time but also the cultural and artistic vibrancy of the Cilician Kingdom.

Roslin’s influence reached beyond the Armenian world, contributing to the broader traditions of Christian manuscript art in the East and West. His miniatures are celebrated for their artistic precision, narrative clarity, and emotive power, making him a central figure in the history of medieval illumination.