PRESS RELEASE
02.03.2026
Issuance of a new collector coin of the Republic of Armenia
On March 3, 2026, the Central Bank of Armenia puts into circulation “150th birth anniversary of Hrachya Acharyan” silver collector coin.
Collector coin dedicated to the 150th bitrh anniversary of Hrachya Acharyan
HRACHYA ACHARYAN (1876–1953), an eminent Armenian linguist and lexicographer, Honored Scientist of the Armenian SSR (1933), and Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR (1943).
Born in Constantinople, Acharyan received his early education at a local school before pursuing higher studies at the universities of Paris and Strasbourg, where he studied under some of the most distinguished Armenologists of his time.
From 1898 to 1923, he devoted himself to teaching in Etchmiadzin, Shushi, Nor Bayazet, Karin, Tabriz, etc. During those years, he traveled widely across historical Armenia, documenting dialects and collecting materials that referred to multiple areas of Armenology.
In 1923, Acharyan was invited to join the faculty of Yerevan State University. Awarded the academic title of professor in 1924, he later became the Head of the Department of Oriental Languages, where he lectured on a wide array of subjects: the history of the Armenian language, comparative grammar, Classical (Old) Armenian, dialectology, ancient and medieval Armenian literature, as well as French, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and others.
Acharyan authored approximately 200 scholarly works, among them Armenian Dialectology (1911), Etymological Dictionary of the Armenian Language (1926–1935), Dictionary of Armenian Personal Names (1942–1962), History of the Armenian Language (1940–1945), and Comprehensive Grammar of the Armenian Language (1952–1971). These monumental, multi-volume studies stand as landmarks not only in Armenian linguistics but also in world philology.
Acharyan’s scholarship extended beyond linguistics – his book History of the Armenian Diaspora reflects his work on Armenian history.
Hrachya Acharyan’s legacy endures in institutions and public life – the Institute of Language, a residential district, and an avenue in Yerevan all bear his name.
Obverse: Hrachya Acharyan’s Etymological Dictionary of the Armenian Language and a fragment from his manuscript.
Reverse: Hrachya Acharyan’s graphic portrait and signature.
Designers: Haroutiun Samuelian (obverse), Ani Acharyan (reverse).
The coin is minted at the Royal Dutch Mint.
Technical specification
| Face value |
1000 dram |
| Metal/fineness |
silver 9250 |
| Weight |
33,6 g |
| Diameter |
40,0 mm |
| Quality |
proof |
| Edge |
ribbed |
| Quantity of issue |
300 pcs |
| Year of issue |
2026 |
Notice
Collector coins are made of precious metals and are issued to present to the society the national, international, historical and cultural, spiritual and other values of the country, to immortalize these values in the metal and to meet the demands of the numismatic market.
Like any other currency the collector coins have face value which makes them the means of payment. However, the face value of these coins is much lower that their cost price which includes the cost of the precious metal used for manufacturing of the coin, mintage and other expenses. Low face value and high cost price allow these coins to be considered as the items of collection and not the means of payment used in money circulation. The collector coins have also the sale price set by the Central Bank of Armenia.
As the items of collection the collector coins are issued in very restricted quantities and are not reissued.
Numismatists, collectors and all interested persons can buy the Armenian collector coins in the sales salon
“Numismatist” which is in the building of the Central Bank of Armenia and is open for everyone.
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