ԼԵՌՆԱՅԻՆ ՂԱՐԱԲԱՂԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
(Nagorno-Karabakh Republic / The Republic of Artsakh)
ՖԻՆԱՆՍՆԵՐԻ ԵՎ ԷԿՈՆՈՄԻԿԱՅԻ ՆԱԽԱՐԱՐ
(Minister of Finance and Economy)
Currency - Dram (AMD)
These are the only two so-called ''banknotes'' printed, and issued by the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2004. These two notes are supposedly legal tender, and were circulated together with the Armenia drams in the region, according to one report, whilst others claimed that they are just souvenirs, and worthless, and as such have no legal status whatsoever. Regardless of which one is correct or not, I have decided to post them here for educational purposes.
According to another report, these notes were authorised by the government of Nagorno-Karabakh, and are indeed legal tender, but because of their face value, they are rarely seen or used. The main purpose of printing, and issuing these notes are for sale to collectors, and also to promote this region to the outside world.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is also sometimes referred to as the Republic of Artsakh. The name Nagorno-Karabakh in Russian means Mountainous Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh was formed on 02.09.1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its capital is Stepanakert, and the official language is Armenian. About 95% of the people living in this region are Armenians with the remaining consists of Russians, Ukrainians, Greeks, Georgians, and Azerbaijanis. Republic Day has been celebrated on the 2nd of September, since 1991.
The Nagorno-Karabakh region has a long history of conflict with self-determination. The disputed region has a land area of 4,400 kilometer square, and a population of around 120,000+ people. Majority of the people here are Christians, and are associated themselves as Armenians. Since the last century, many short wars have been fought between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to gain control over this region. In 1921, the Nagorno-Karabakh region was occupied by the Soviet Union, and was then placed under the administration of Azerbaijan rule, as Nagorno-Karabakh is located inside Azerbaijan, and does not share a common border with any other country, except Azerbaijan. The disputed region was then later granted self autonomous rule after many years of appealing to the Central Government in Moscow. Fast forward some 67 years, and in 1988, the quest for reunification with Armenia was brought up again with mass demonstrations held in Stepanakert, and in Yerevan (Capital city of Armenia). In 1991, both Armenia and Azerbaijan became independent nations, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. On the 10.12.1991, a referendum was held (boycotted by the local Azerbaijans) in favour of the creation of an independent state. On 08.01.1992, the leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence as a Republic. War broke out again between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and in May 1994, a ceasefire was reached. By the end of this conflict, the Armenians occupied about 14% of Azerbaijan's territory bordering Armenia. In 2020, another war broke out again (known as the 44-day war), but then this is another story to cover. Internationally, Nagorno-Karabakh is recognised by many countries as part of Azerbaijan.
Please allow me to clarify myself here. I am neutral on this long, and historical territory dispute between the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan. There is no doubt that this unresolved dispute will go on for many more generations to come, after all both the Armenians, and Azerbaijanis are completely different people, as they do not share a common culture, religion or belief.
As I mentioned above, the following two notes were issued in 2004. The designs for the two notes are quite plain, and not sophisticated like many other banknotes circulating around the world. It has very minimum security features printed, and there are watermarks on the notes but I am unable to say what they are. It looks like Armenian writing to me across the notes. Both notes are basically printed with mono a colour of light brown for the 2 drams, and light green for the 10 drams. Given that these two face values are nominal in today's economic situation, I am not sure if they are still circulating in the region or if it has much purchasing power either. It is believed that the Armenian drams are widely circulating in this region, and since 2017, the smallest Armenia banknote denomination is the 500 drams. These two notes were reportedly printed by Osterreichische Staatsdruckerei (Austria State Printing House, established in 1804 by Emperor Franz Joseph I - b.1830-1916). These two notes are also known as the Artsakh drams currency. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's dram is reportedly pegged to the Armenia dram.
In addition to the banknotes, commemorative gold and silver coins were also minted for this region in 1998, and later more coins for general circulation were minted, and issued in 2003.
Two Drams
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| Gandzasar Cathedral of Saint of John the Baptist in Mardakert district, Saint Gregory the Illuminator |
Front - Translation on the top is Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and on the bottom is Minister of Finance and Economy. Coat of Arms on the left, Gandzasar Cathedral of Saint of John the Baptist in Mardakert district, Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Signature - No idea
Dimensions - 151mm x 81mm
Back - The description on the top is Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and on the bottom is John The Baptist. On the left is a Christian cross, Jesus Christ been baptised by John The Baptist
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| Jesus Christ been baptised by John The Baptist |
Ten Drams
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| Jesus holding gospels, Dadivank monastery in Shahumian district |
Front - Translation on the top is Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and on the bottom are the Minister of Finance and Economy, and Juses Christ and Two Brothers. Coat of Arms on the left, Jesus holding gospels, Dadivank monastery in Shahumian district.
Signature - No idea
Dimensions - 166mm x 91mm
Back - Description on the top is Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and Bridge of Khudapirin. Ancient Khudapirin bridge, wine barrel with grapes, Karabakh carpet Jesus Christ with two brothers
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| Ancient Khudapirin bridge, wine barrel with grapes, Karabakh carpet |
Given the value of these two notes, these are considered as large size banknotes.
Footnote:
I understand that many collectors here would say that these two notes should not be considered as banknotes at all, after all, it was issued by an authority that hardy have any international recognition, except Transnistria (Moldova), Abkhazia (Georgia), and South Ossetia (also in Georgia). Even these three so-called self declared independent nations are themselves involved in a dispute as well, and as such have very few countries recognising them either. I have decided to post these two notes here as they were once reportedly acceptable and legal tender banknotes in a disputed region.
Also, my purpose of posting these two notes is not to promote this country or region, but rather to showcase my latest collection. If you can accept banknotes issued by the disputed region of Transnistria, then there is no reason for you not to accept these Artsakh drams. These Artsakh drams are not the same as those numerous fantasy notes printed, and privately issued that have no real monetary value, but rather for financial gains that benefit the issuers or redistributors.
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