2020-04-03 Fri

The Artsakh dram is a monetary unit of the de facto independent Republic of Artsakh. Although it is legal tender, it is not as widely used as the Armenian dram.

The Republic of Artsakh is also known by its second official name, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Predominantly Armenian region Nagorno-Karabakh officially part of Azerbaijan is a de facto independent republic after war and declaration of independence from Azerbaijan as Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which remains unrecognized by any international organization or country.

It has close relations with the Republic of Armenia and uses the same currency, the dram. In the year 2004, Artsakh issued two banknotes 2 and 10 dram which is probably the only indigenous issue of the country.

The 2-dram banknote depicts Gandzasar Cathedral of Saint of John the Baptist in Mardakert district and Saint Gregory the Illuminator on the obverse while Bas-relief Christian cross and John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ on the reverse. The 10-dram banknote, on the other hand, depicts Jesus holding gospels and raising hand in benediction and Dadivank monastery in Shahumian district on the obverse and Ancient Hudaferin Bridge, wine barrel with a bunch of grapes, Karabakh carpet on the reverse.

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia