Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia

1000 dram

33,6 g

40,0 mm

Silver 925°

500 pcs.

Proof

Vardan Vardanyan

Royal Dutch Mint

Obverse: archaeological measurement drawing, silver exhibits of Hermitage, stone slab with inscriptions from Aghtamar peninsula (the territory of historical Western Armenia), year of issue. Along the rim - inscriptions “THE CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA” in Armenian, below - nominal value. Reverse: Orbeli’s portrait, the jug from 1910 archaeological expedition in Ani (Ani was one of the historical capitals of Armenia), inscriptions - “125-th anniversary”, “HOVSEP ORBELI” in Armenian and English, dates of Orbeli’s birth and death “1987-1961”.

Hovsep (Joseph) Orbeli, a well-known Armenian scholar and academician, orientalist. The first president of the ASSR Academy of Sciences. Research and teaching activities are associated with St. Petersburg (Leningrad) University (associate professor, professor, Head of Armenian-Georgian Philology, Material Culture, History of Near and Middle East Departments). A member of Petersburg and Moscow Archaeological Societies. Took an active part in excavations of Ani, studied architectural monuments of Armenia. Since 1920 he worked at the State Hermitage Museum (created a Department of the East - the largest center of Oriental Studies). In 1934-1951 served as Director of the Hermitage (during WW II did much to preserve the museum values, afterwards led the recovery of Hermitage). In 1956-1961 - Head of the Leningrad branch of the USSR Institute of Asian People. The main scientific works dedicated to the history of the Caucasus and medieval culture of Near East. Orbeli was awarded by two Lenin Orders, two Red Banner Orders and the Iran "Scientific Merits" Order of 1st degree.