The Artsakh dram (Armenian: Արցախյան դրամ) was a monetary unit of the de facto independent Republic of Artsakh, which was dissolved on 1 January 2024 in the aftermath of Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.[1] Despite being legal tender, it was not as widely used as the Armenian dram.[2]

Artsakh dram
Արցախյան դրամ (Armenian)
2 dram banknote (obverse)
ISO 4217
CodeNone
Unit
SymbolԴր.
Denominations
Subunit
1100luma
Banknotes2 dram, 10 dram
Coins
 Freq. used50 luma, 1 dram, 5 dram[further explanation needed]
 Rarely used1000 dram
Demographics
Date of introduction2003 (2003)
Date of withdrawalJanuary 1, 2024 (2024-01-01) [1]
User(s) Artsakh (alongside Armenian dram)
Issuance
Central bankRepublic of Artsakh Ministry of Finance
 Websiteminfin-nkr.am
PrinterÖsterreichische Staatsdruckerei
(Austria State Printing House)
Valuation
InflationN/A
Pegged withArmenian dram
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

Coins

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Two commemorative coins were issued in 2003, while seven different coins have also been issued, all dated 2004.[3] They are two aluminum 50 luma coins featuring a horse and a leaping antelope, three aluminum 1 dram coins featuring a wildcat, a pheasant and St. Gregory the Illuminator, two aluminum-bronze 5 dram coins featuring the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in the town of Shushi and the We Are Our Mountains monument right outside Stepanakert, and two aluminum 1000 dram coins featuring Lake Van and Kevork Chavush. A new series of coins was issued in 2013, and consists of two 50 luma coins featuring a horse and antelope, three 1 dram coins depicting a leopard, wolf and pheasant and two five dram coins showing a bear and a capricorn.[4]

Denomination Date of first minting Composition Diameter
(mm)
Mass
(g)
Obverse Reverse Image
50 Luma 2004 Al 20,00 0,95 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Horse  
50 Luma 2004 Al 20,00 0,95 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Antelope  
1 Dram 2004 Al 21,90 1,15 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Phasianidae  
1 Dram 2004 Al 21,90 1,15 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Saint Gregory the Illuminator  
1 Dram 2004 Al 21,90 1,15 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Cheetah  
5 Dram 2004 Cu+Ni+Zn 21,90 4,50 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Ghazanchetsots Cathedral  
5 Dram 2004 Cu+Ni+Zn 21,90 4,50 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh We Are Our Mountains  
1000 Dram 2003 Al 21,90 1,15 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Lake Van  
1000 Dram 2003 Al 21,90 1,15 Coat of arms of the Republic of Artsakh Kevork Chavush  

Banknotes

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2 and 10 dram banknotes have been issued, bearing the date 2004 and printed by Österreichische Staatsdruckerei (Austria State Printing House).

2004 Series
Value Main Colour Images Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse printing issue
2 dram Red     Gandzasar Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Mardakert district, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Bas-relief Christian cross and John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ 2004 2004
10 dram Green     Jesus holding gospels and raising hand in benediction, Dadivank monastery in Shahumian district Ancient Hudaferin bridge, wine barrel with a bunch of grapes, Karabakh carpet 2004 2004

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will cease to exist from Jan 1 2024 - Nagorno-Karabakh authorities". Reuters. 2023-09-28. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  2. ^ "Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ Nagorno-Karabakh Banknotes". 2012-06-22. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  3. ^ "Coins from Artsakh – Numista". en.numista.com. Archived from the original on 2022-05-22. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  4. ^ "Nations of the former Soviet Union". www.joelscoins.com. Archived from the original on 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-14.