Coins of the World: Middle East

This hot and contentious area produces popular silver bullion.

Armenia

Located at the crosspoint between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Armenia is a democratic nation state situated near Iran, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Its rich cultural history is shown on the Armenia 1 oz Silver Noah’s Ark coin.

Though the Noah’s Ark coin is minted by the private Geiger Edelmetalle refinery, it operates under the authorization of the Armenian Central Bank and is legal tender. Each coin is composed of .999 pure silver.

The obverse shows the Armenian Coat of Arms, which portrays an eagle and a lion behind a heraldic shield. The reverse depicts a scene from the Noah’s Ark story, with a dove holding an olive branch flying toward the floating ark.

This design was chosen because Armenians believe Mount Ararat is the location of the ark’s final resting place. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion, and it remains known as “the first Christian nation.”

Armenia Highlights

• Armenia has a unique alphabet, which was invented in 405 AD.
• It is estimated that 8 million Armenians live outside of the country, far more than the 3 million remaining as the current population today.
• Though people were living in Armenia from at least 4000 BC, the country has fallen sway to its neighbors many times. The modern Republic of Armenia was established in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union.
• Stop in at the National Art Gallery in Yerevan, which has more than 16,000 pieces of artwork dating back to the Middle Ages. Another highlight is the Yerevan Vernissage, a craft market offering woodcarvings, fine lace, and hand-knotted carpets. Watch a traditional Armenian wrestling match, which is known there as Kokh.

Did you add the Noah’s Ark coin to your investments?

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