Armenia has an ancient and rich history. There is a hypothesis that this state existed in the sixth century BC. e. At that time it was the land of Urartu, conquered by the Aryans. After some time, Armenia appeared as a separate independent state. And then the first national money of this country was made.
A bit of history
The state currency of Armenia appeared at the beginning of the first century BC. e. and was called drum. The drum was equal to 100 lumens (hundredths). The coins depicted King Tigran the First. Then the images of his followers were minted. Coins were made of silver and did not differ in mass from other metal currencies.
During the reign of the Mamelukes, Armenian money temporarily ceased to exist. When the country became part of the Russian Empire, rubles were in use. Again, the money of Armenia was printed only in 1917, after the October Revolution. A new currency was being made in London. Then this money was replaced by Soviet rubles.
The revival of the Armenian currency
The Central Bank of Armenia was founded in the ninety-third year. He returned the national currency, setting the course of the Armenian dram. At first, money was printed in Germany, and until 1995 banknotes had 8 denominations. They were all done in a classic style with bright margins and simple prints.
Coins were minted from aluminum: 3 types of lumens and 4 denominations of drams. Despite the fact that their design was quite simple, at present, money made between 1993 and 1998 is acquiring collectible status and is valued higher and higher each year.
Banknote design
Modern money of Armenia in the form of notes has 9 denominations. But banknotes of denominations of 50, 100 and 500 drams were withdrawn from circulation. Modern Armenian bills are constantly updated. Counterfeit security features are added.
50 drams 122x65 mm in size were made with a pink tint. They were released in 1998, and in 2004 were removed from the household. On the front side of the bills was an image of the composer Khachaturian, next to him - the building of the Yerevan Theater. On the reverse side there is a ballet episode and Mount Ararat.
100 drams, 122x65 mm in size, were printed with a blue tint. On the obverse was a portrait of astrophysicist Hambartsumyan. To his right is a fragment of space. On the reverse side is Byurakan Observatory. Banknotes were issued only in 1998, and in 2004 were withdrawn from use.
500 drams measuring 129x72 mm were printed in gray-red colors. On the front side was a portrait of the architect Tamyanin. On the back of the banknote is an image of the building of the Armenian government. Banknotes were issued only in 1999 and in 2004 were withdrawn from circulation.
The rest of Armenia’s money in the form of banknotes is still in circulation (denominations in drams are indicated):
- 1000 - green-pink color, size 136x72 mm. The bill depicts the writer Yeghishe Charents, Mount Ararat and a horse with a wagon. Printed in 1999, 2001 and 2011.
- 5000 - brownish-green color, size 143x72 mm. The bill depicts the writer Hovhannes Tumanyan, a picture and a natural landscape. Printed in 1999, 2003, 2009 and 2012.
- 10000 - purple color, size 150x72 mm. The note depicts writer Avetik Isahakyan and a view of Gyumri. Published in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2012.
- 20,000 - in yellow, orange and brown shades, size 155x72 mm. The bill depicts the artist Saryan and a fragment of the landscape. Printed in 1999, 2007, 2009 and 2012.
- 50,000 - gray-brown color, size 160x79 mm. The bill depicts the Cathedral, St. Gregory, King Trdat the Great and the monastery on the background of Mount Ararat. Published in 2001
- 100000 - blue-brown colors, size 160x72 mm. The bill depicts King Abgar and the Apostle Thaddeus. Published in 2009
Coin design
The money of Armenia of a modern sample in the form of coins has six denominations. They were minted in the period from 2003 to 2004. All coins are made of steel with nickel, copper or brass coating. Save 10 drams. It is made of aluminum. Coins in denominations of 200 and 500 are minted from nickel-plated copper alloys. Collectible dramas were made of gold, silver and copper-nickel alloys.
Currently, coin dramas are not used in everyday life, but are still the official currency. On the reverse of the coins the denomination is indicated. The signature "drum" is engraved nearby. The border pattern is different. On the obverse is the Armenian coat of arms. In a circle of coins (except for the face value of ten drams) - the inscription "Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia".
Exchange rates and exchange
In the ninety-third year modern money began to be printed in Armenia. The ruble exchange rate at that time was 1: 200. In 2012, the data changed by a ratio of 12.84: 1. In accordance with the international situation and the situation inside the country, the course of the Armenian drama periodically changes. At the end of 2016, it is 13.54: 1.
Exchange can be made in large hotels, shops, shopping and entertainment centers. But in the provinces, exchangers are much less common. There, the currency changes mainly in banks. Since there are not very many ATMs installed in Armenia, the use of debit and credit cards has not been put into widespread use. In provincial cities, the population is accustomed to using exclusively cash.