Armenia. New Gold and Silver Coins Mark Traditional Religious Celebration

The coins launch a new collector series entitled Armenian traditional holidays focusing on celebrations exclusive to the Armenian nation and culture. The first coin highlights the celebration known as the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, a beloved feast of light and joy, with traditions that endure to this day. It is one of the traditional holidays of the Armenian people, observed on the 14th February and which occurs forty days after Christmas and Epiphany, celebrated in the Orthodox Calendar on the 6th of January. According to Christian tradition, Mary, the Holy Mother of God brings the 40 day old baby Jesus to the temple to receive God’s blessing, where the elder Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, meets the infant Jesus and recognises in him as the Saviour of the world and humanity. Hence the name of the holiday – Presentation of the Lord to the Temple.

In the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, on the eve of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple and after the evening service, the congregation take fire from the church lamps to their homes as a symbol of the light of Christ. On the day of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, a blessing ceremony for newlyweds is performed through which the Lord’s abundant graces are bestowed upon their families.

Traditionally, newlyweds, young men and women light bonfires in their yards, dance around together  holding hands, jump over the fire as a symbol of purification and liberation from pain and sorrow – some of the men do so to show bravery and to face down fear.  Festive traditional sweets are prepared and served and after the bonfire has burned down, the ashes are scattered on the courtyard land, in hope of abundance and fruitfulness for the year. 

The gold and silver prooflike quality coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands and designed by Anna Kurghinyan. The obverse side of both gold and silver coins depicts a newlywed couple, a husband on the left and wife on the right as they dance around a bonfire, dressed in traditional wedding attire. The flames of the fire are centred and on the silver versions, they are enhanced with yellow, orange and red colour replicating the flames. Above the primary design and along the rim is the text in Armenian lettering ՏԵԱՌՆԸՆԴԱՌԱՋ (Tearnyndaraj). Along the lower rim is the text in English PRESENTATION OF THE LORD TO THE TEMPLE. The reverse side recreates an image froman 11th century Armenian book produced in 1060 and known as the ‘Gospel of Mоghni’ which includes an illustrated detail of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. The design shows the Mother Mary holding her baby Jesus with the Elder Simeon to the right. Each of the four figures depicted include a halo which is enhanced with a metallic golden colour on the silver proof strikes. In the background and just above the central figures is an etched detail replicated from a traditional radiating rosette-like ornament. Along the upper rim above the primary design is the text ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ ARMENIA 2026. The denomination 1000 ԴՐԱՄ (dram) on the gold coin and 500 ԴՐԱՄ for the silver coin is positioned between the two central figures of Mary and Simeon.

Available from the 13th February, each coin is encapsulated and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. A coin case is available as a separate purchase. For additional information, please visit the numismatic section of the Central Bank of Armenia.