RA Gold - 2017 - 10,000 dram - 25th Anniversary of Shushi's Liberation

RA Gold Commemorative - 91

Obverse: Depicts the Order of the Liberation of Shushi, featuring the emblem of the Republic of Artsakh alongside a smaller representation of the Artsakh coat of arms.

Reverse: Features the coat of arms of the town of Shushi, depicting a winged angel holding a book and sword within a fortress, symbolizing protection and cultural significance. The Armenian inscription around the edge reads: "Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Կենտրոնական Բանկ" ("Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia"), with the denomination "10,000" and "ԴՐԱՄ" ("dram") at the top, and the year "2017" at the bottom.

Denomination: 10,000 dram
Metal: Gold 900
Weight: 8.60g
Diameter: 22mm
Mintage: 500 pcs
Edge: Reeded
Strike Quality: Proof
Designers: Lusine Lalayan (obverse), Vardan Vardanyan (reverse)
Mint: Lithuanian Mint

This gold collector coin commemorates the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi, a major cultural and strategic town in the Republic of Artsakh (formerly known as Nagorno-Karabakh). Shushi was an important center of Armenian culture, art, and learning for centuries but became a point of ethnic tension in the 20th century after it was handed over to Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921.

In 1992, amid the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian forces, under the leadership of Commander Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan, successfully liberated the town on May 9. This victory was crucial in the defense of Artsakh and is celebrated annually as a key event in modern Armenian history. Shushi, known for its contributions to Armenian architecture, printing, and religious art, continues to symbolize resilience and cultural pride for the Armenian people.