Posted by Collin Jung on 16 Aug 2020

What are Armenia Noah’s Ark Silver Coins?

Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins are a popular silver bullion coin issued by the Armenian government. These coins depict the biblical narrative of Noah's Ark, symbolizing the cultural significance and national history of Armenia.

Features Of The Silver Coin

The Noah's Ark Armenia silver coin is a popular silver bullion coin that is minted by Geiger Edelmetalle and is legal tender in Armenia, with a face value denominated in the Armenian dram. This coin is highly sought after by investors and collectors alike due to its timeless story and cultural significance, as well as its exquisite design and high metal content.

The 500 Dram denomination holds significant value in the Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins series. As one of the seven denominations available, this coin features a weight of 1 oz and is struck in .999 fine silver. The coin has a face value of 500 Armenian Dram, making it a legal tender coin in Armenia.

The 500 Dram denomination fits in with the other six denominations available for purchase as a part of this series. These coins range from 1/4 oz to 5 kg in weight and carry face values from 100 to 50,000 Armenian Dram.

Each Noah's Ark Armenia silver coin is minted with .999 fine silver, making it one of the finest silver bullion coins available. The different sizes available for purchase include the 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, and 1 and 5-kilogram coins. As legal tender coins, they are backed by the Armenian government and carry the weight of authenticity and high quality. In addition to their rarity, the exclusive edition series of the Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins come in specially designed packaging, including display cases, certificates of authenticity, and other luxurious touches. These special editions are often available in larger denominations, such as 10 oz or 1 kg, or 5 kg, and carry higher face values than their standard counterparts.

For collectors and investors seeking something unique, the exclusive edition series of the Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins offers proof sets, which have however been limited to 2,000 pieces. The Armenian government strictly regulates all production processes and ensures that each exclusive edition coin meets the highest standards of quality and purity.

History of the Noahs ark Silver Coins

The Noah's Ark bullion coin features the famous biblical story of Noah's Ark as its motif. The narrative recounts how God punished humanity with a flood due to their sins, sparing only Noah and his family. God instructs Noah to build an ark and gather pairs of every animal species. The flood engulfs the entire world, but Noah, his family, and a selection of animals survive aboard the ark. As the floodwaters recede, the ark comes to rest on Mount Ararat.

Mount Ararat holds significance in the story as a large portion of it was located within Armenian territory. Following World War 1, Armenia was divided between the Soviet Union and Turkey, and Mount Ararat became part of Turkey. Nonetheless, it remains an important symbol in Armenia's national identity, with the mountain visible from the capital city of Yerevan. The Coat of Arms of Armenia continues to feature Mount Ararat as a symbolic figure.

The Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins have a rich history dating back to their introduction in 2011. Initially, they came in limited-issue collectible versions, with each coin featuring a unique design that celebrated the cultural significance of the biblical narration of Noah's Ark.

However, the Central Bank of Armenia recognized the growing demand for silver in global markets and teamed up with the renowned Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH to mint the coins as a dedicated bullion program.

Following the popularity of the coin, the Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins were introduced in different denominations just one year later. While the design of the coins stayed true to their original concept, the evolution of the program allowed collectors and investors alike the opportunity to own different sizes of the national symbol of Armenia.

The coin's popularity continued to surge in response to the market demand for silver, prompting the introduction of exclusive coin editions and even monster boxes, which are sealed containers that typically hold 500 individual coins. The strict requirements set by the Armenian government, combined with the coins' .999 pure silver content, have made them a sought-after choice among collectors worldwide.

In addition to their collectible value, the Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins are also legal tender in Armenia, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the national symbol. Its status as legal tender also adds to the desirability of owning this particular coin, making them an attractive option for collectors and investors alike.

Design

The Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins are renowned for their stunning designs, showcasing elements of the country's rich cultural and historical heritage. The obverse of these coins features the Armenian coat of arms, an important national symbol, whereas the reverse side depicts the story behind Noah's Ark.

Obverse Side: Coat Of Arms

The Noah's Ark Armenia silver coin series is not only a beautiful collection of silver bullion coins but also a representation of Armenia's national identity and beliefs. This remarkable coin series features symbols that hold cultural significance for the people of Armenia, reflecting its rich history and traditions.

The Armenian Coat of Arms is the most prominent symbol on the coin. It consists of the following:

  • The shield is divided into two main parts. The upper part features the national emblem of Armenia, known as the Mount Ararat. It is a depiction of the famous biblical mountain where Noah's Ark is believed to have come to rest. Mount Ararat is considered a national symbol of Armenia, even though it is currently located in Turkey.
  • The lower part of the shield depicts a golden double-headed eagle and a crowned lion. The eagle represents courage, strength, and power, while the lion represents royalty, bravery, and valor. These symbols have been used in Armenian heraldry for centuries.
  • On the sides of the shield, there are crossed oak and laurel branches. The oak branch represents endurance and strength, while the laurel branch represents victory and glory.

Reverse side

On the reverse side of the coin, we are presented with a striking image of Noah's ark floating on the receding flood waters at the base of Mount Ararat with the sun rising in the background. The dove, holding an olive branch in its beak, is prominently placed in the foreground. The 'NOAH'S ARK' inscription is featured in both English and Armenian on the reverse side of the coin, emphasizing the importance of this timeless story to both Armenian and biblical history. 

  • Mount Ararat is another significant symbol represented on the coin. It is a magnificent mountain located in the eastern part of Turkey, but it is commonly associated with Armenia. For centuries, Mount Ararat has been a symbol of the Armenian people, representing their struggle, resilience, and hope for a better future.

  • The olive branch symbolizes peace and prosperity. It is a symbol of hope that has been used by various cultures across the world throughout history. In Armenian culture, the olive branch signifies a return to normalcy after a tumultuous period, as well as hope for a brighter future. After the great flood, Noah sent out a dove, and when it returned carrying an olive branch, it signaled the end of the flood and the presence of dry land. Since then, the image of a white dove with an olive branch has been associated with peace, hope, and new beginnings.

For the exclusive coin edition, the motif showcases the metal weight of the coin, as well as the fineness and year of issue. The Armenian and English lettering further enhances the coin's unique and special features. The Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins are a popular silver bullion coin minted by the Armenian government to strict requirements and standards, making them a highly sought-after addition to any collection.

Noah's Ark Coins Packaging

The Armenian Noah's Ark Silver Coins are known for the wooden boxes in which the silver coins are packaged. While other mints like the US Mint, Royal Canadian Mint or Austrian Mint use plastic monster boxes to hold their 1 oz silver coins, the wooden box packaging is used for all Armenian Noah's Ark Coins. This difference does make these silver coins special, especially to coin collectors.

Minted By Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH

The Armenian Noah's Ark Silver Coins are minted by Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH, a family-owned private mint situated near Leipzig and Stuttgart in Germany, known for its quality minting and innovative techniques. 

The initial registered headquarters of Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH can be found in the renowned Schloss Güldengossa building, which was built in 1720. This exquisite manor is located on the southeastern outskirts of Leipzig. The historic manor played a pivotal role as the first site for the company's bullion minting.

Geiger Edelmetalle proudly served notable clientele, including the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who were enthusiastic buyers of precious metals.

During the production of silver coins, strict quality control measures are taken to ensure the purity and authenticity of the raw materials. The mint sources its raw materials from certified manufacturers approved according to the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) standards. By following this standard, the mint ensures that the silver content of each coin is of the highest quality.

Increasing Popularity In Europe And Around The World

The Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins have become increasingly popular in Europe and around the world due to their rich history and cultural significance. The coins are a cherished addition to any collection as they depict the timeless story of Noah's Ark, a biblical narration that has captivated people for centuries. The silver coins also feature prominent national symbols such as Mount Ararat and the Armenian coat of arms, which add to their unique and valuable nature.

The depiction of these national symbols on the coins makes them more than just mere collectibles, but an opportunity to own a piece of Armenian history that is recognized globally. Mount Ararat, which is Armenia's national symbol, is prominently displayed on the silver coins as a symbol of hope and renewal after the flood waters receded. 

The growing demand for the Armenia Noah's Ark Silver Coins can be attributed to the increasing interest in silver bullion coins worldwide. The coins are produced by the Geiger Edelmetalle Mint, which is renowned for producing some of the finest silver bullion coins in the market. With strict requirements on metal weight and content, the coins are made using the finest silver and have become a popular coinage among collectors.

In addition, the coins are part of a legal tender coin series, which has further added to their growing appeal. The series includes individual coins and a monster box, making it easy for collectors to purchase, store, and trade them. The coins come in plastic flips, assuring collectors that they are buying a quality product that will retain its value over time.

Private Mints Issuing Similar Designs To Meet Demand

Since the success of the Armenian Noah's Ark silver coin series produced by Geiger Edelmetalle GmbH, private mints in Europe have attempted to follow in their footsteps by producing bullion coins with similar Noah's Ark designs. These coins pay homage to the cultural significance of national symbols and animals, just like the Armenian Noah's Ark silver coins.

One of the private mints that have emulated the success of the Armenian Noah's Ark silver coin series is the British Royal Mint, which has produced the Somali Elephant Silver Coin. The design features a majestic elephant, the national symbol of Somalia, drinking water near a tree. The coin's reverse side depicts the Somali Coat of Arms.

In addition, the Austrian Mint's Philharmonic Silver Coin also features a unique design that pays homage to Austria's cultural significance. The coin showcases the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, which is an iconic symbol of Vienna, Austria's capital city. The reverse side of the coin features eight orchestral instruments, including a harp, cello, and violin, paying homage to Austria's rich musical heritage.

These private mints have recognized the growing demand for silver bullion coins and have sought to meet it by producing coins with unique designs that are culturally significant for their respective countries.