Official country name: Republic of Armenia
The Armenian Dram (AMD) is the currency unit for Armenia since 1993. The Central Bank of Armenia owns the exclusive rights to issue the Dram. The symbol for the Dram has not yet become part of the Unicode standard.
Currency history
- Originally silver coins called drams were used from 1199 to 1375.
- In 1991 Armenia became an independent republic, no longer part of the Soviet Union.
- In early 1993 the Central Bank of Armenia was opened, but Soviet Union banknotes still circulated until the end of 1993.
- The new Armenian Dram was also introduced at the end of 1993.
- Coins replaced the 50, 100, and 500 dram banknotes in 1998.
- After 2005 banknotes issued from 1993 to 1995 were taken out of circulation.
- A 500,000-dram banknote was issued in 2001 to commemorate Christianity in the country.
1 Dram = 100 Lumma; ISO code = AMD 051
23rd September 2023, 1 USD = 481.62 dram; 1 Euro = 560.19 dram
Country state: Complete
RÉPUBLIQUE ARMENIENNE
Ruble System
- 1919 “Griffin” Issue
50 Rubles P-30; B-101 Color: Brown Dimensions: 127 x 82 mm
Front: Two dragons.
Back: Guilloche pattern.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd. (England) - W&S.
Watermark: Pattern.
Date: 1919. Intro: June 1920.
Signature: Alexander Khatisyan & Grigor Jaghetyan.
100 Rubles P-31; B-102 Color: Green and orange Dimensions: 140 x 88 mm
Front: Two stylized birds; Mount Ararat.
Back: Eagle holding sword.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd. (England) - W&S.
Watermark: Pattern.
Date: 1919. Intro: June 1920.
Signature: Alexander Khatisyan & Grigor Jaghetyan.
250 Rubles P-32; B-103 Color: Violet and green Dimensions: 160 x 93 mm
Front: Two angels; two dragons.
Back: : Woman with spinning wheel.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd. (England) - W&S.
Watermark: Pattern.
Date: 1919. Intro: June 1920.
Signature: Alexander Khatisyan & Grigor Jaghetyan.
FOR NOTES CIRCULATING FROM 1923-1992 SEE SOVIET UNION
ARMENIAN REPUBLIC BANK
Dram System
- 1993 “Dram” Issue
10 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-33; B-201 Color: Brown and violet Dimensions: 125 x 62 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Statue of David from Sasoun; Main Railroad Station, Yerevan.
Back: Mount Ararat (Masis).
Security thread: None.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1993. Intro: 22.11.1993. Prefix: ԱԱ.
Signatures: Isahak Isahakyan & Janik Janoyan.
25 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-34; B-202 Color: Orange and brown Dimensions: 125 x 62 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Tablet with writing; frieze from Erebuni castle.
Back: Arched ornament.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1993. Intro: 22.11.1993. Prefix: ԲԱ.
Signatures: Isahak Isahakyan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
50 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-35; B-203 Color: Blue Dimensions: 125 x 62 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Statue Museum of History and National Gallery, Yerevan.
Back: Parliament building, Yerevan.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1993. Intro: 22.11.1993. Prefix: ԳԱ.
Signatures: Isahak Isahakyan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
100 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-36; B-204 Color: Blue and violet Dimensions: 135 x 65 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Mount Ararat, church of Zvarnots.
Back: Opera and Ballet theatre, Yerevan.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date:
a. 1993. Intro: 22.11.1993. Wmk: Simple coat of arms pattern. Prefix: ԴԱ.
b. Wmk: Multi-tonal coat of arms pattern. Prefix: ԴԲ.
Signatures: Isahak Isahakyan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
Pattern of simple coats of arms (left)
Multi-tonal coats of arms (right)
200 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-37; B-205 Color: Brown Dimensions: 135 x 65 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Church of St. Hripsime, Echmiadzin.
Back: Ornamental designs.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date:
a. 1993. Intro: 22.11.1993. Wmk: Simple coat of arms pattern. Prefix: ԵԱ.
b. Wmk: Multi-tonal coat of arms pattern. Prefix: ԵԲ.
Signatures: Isahak Isahakyan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
Pattern of simple coats of arms (left)
Multi-tonal coats of arms (right)
500 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-38; B-206 Color: Green and orange Dimensions: 135 x 65 mm Withdrawn: 01.09.2005
Front: Mount Ararat, Tetradrachma of King Tigran II.
Back: Open book with quill pen.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date:
a. 1993. Intro: 22.11.1993. Wmk: Simple coat of arms pattern. Prefix: ԶԱ.
b. Wmk: Multi-tonal coat of arms pattern. Prefix: ԶԲ.
Signatures: Isahak Isahakyan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
Pattern of simple coats of arms (left)
Multi-tonal coats of arms (right)
CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
- 1994 & 1995 Issue
1000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-39; B-301 Color: Brown Dimensions: 145 x 68 mm Withdrawn: 01.03.2004
Front: Mesrop Mashtots, Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Yerevan).
Back: Matenadaran façade.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1994. Intro: 24.10.1994. Prefix: ԹԱ.
Signatures: Bagrat Asatryan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
5000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-40; B-302 Color: Green Dimensions: 145 x 71 mm Withdrawn: 01.07.2005
Front: Mithras temple, Garni.
Back: Goddess Anahit.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Alemanha) - G&D.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1995. Intro: 06.09.1995. Prefix: ԷԱ.
Signatures: Bagrat Asatryan & Levon Barkhudaryan.
- 1998-1999 Issue
50 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-41; B-303 Color: Pink Dimensions: 122 x 65 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Aram Khachathurian, Opera house, Yerevan.
Back: Gayaneh ballet, Mount Ararat.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1998. Intro: 23.11.1998. Prefix: Ա. Sign 1.
100 ԴՐԱՄ Dram P-42; B-304 Color: Blue Dimensions: 122 x 65 mm Withdrawn: 01.04.2004
Front: Victor Hambartsumyan, solar system.
Back: Byurakan observatory on Mount Arakadz.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Coat of arms pattern.
Date: 1998. Intro: 23.11.1998. Prefix: Բ. Sign 1.
500 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$1.04; €0.89) P-44; B-305 Color: Gray Dimensions: 129 x 72 mm
Front: Architect Alexander Tamanyan; city plan.
Back: Government House building in Yerevan.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ.
Watermark: Alexander Tamanyan and electrotype 500.
Date: 1999 Prefix: Գ Intro: 01.09.2000. Sign 5.
1000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$2.08; €1.79) Color: Green and light rose Dimensions: 136 x 72 mm
Front: Writer Yeghishe Charents; Mount Ararat.
Back: Old Yerevan building; carriage with driver and two horses.
Security thread: Solid and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD.
Watermark: Yeghishe Charents and electrotype 1000.
Dates:
P-45; B-306a. 1999 Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR. Prefix: Դ Intro: 01.03.1999. Sign 1.
P-50a; B-310a. 2001 Printer: Oesterreichische Banknoten und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH, Vienna, (Austria) - OEBS. Prefix: Լ Intro: 01.07.2002. Sign 2.
P-50b; B-310b. 2001 Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D. Prefix: Թ Intro: 2005.
Security features: Kinegram holographic stripe. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 1000.
Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ.
Dates:
P-55; B-315a. 2011 Prefix: ԱԱ Intro: 30.09.2011. Sign 3.
P-59; B-315b. 2015 Prefix: ԱԲ Intro: 26.11.2015. Sign 4.
5 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$10.38; €8.93) P-46, 51; B-307, B311 Color: Green and brown Dimensions: 143 x 72 mm
Front: Writer Hovhannes Tumanyan; architecture. Gold foil open book.
Back: Lory mountains (birthplace of Tumanyan) by painter Martiros Saryan.
Security thread: Solid and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 5000.
Watermark: Hovhannes Tumanyan and electrotype 5000.
Date:
P-46; 307a. 1999 Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ. Prefix: Ե Intro: 01.07.2000. Sign 5.
Front: Writer Hovhannes Tumanyan; architecture; Kinegram.
Dates:
P-51a; B-311a. 2003 Printer: Oesterreichische Banknoten und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH, Vienna, (Austria) - OEBS. Prefix: Խ Intro: 10.07.2003. Sign 2.
P-51b; B-311b. 2003 Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D. Prefix: Ժ Intro: 2005.
P-51c; B-311c. 2009 Prefix: ԲԱ. Intro: 11.01.2010. Sign 3.
P-56; B-316a.
Front: Writer Hovhannes Tumanyan; architecture; book.
Security features: Kinegram holographic stripe. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 5000.
Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ.
Date: 2012 Prefix: ԲԲ. Intro: 26.06.2012. Sign 6.
10 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$20.76; €17.85) Color: Violet Dimensions: 150 x 72 mm
Front: Writer Avetik Isahakyan; Mount Ararat; quill pen and ink bottle.
Back: Crowd of people; Gyumri skyline at beginning of the 20th century.
Security features: Kinegram holographic stripe. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 10000.
Watermark: Avetik Isahakyan and electrotype 10000.
Dates:
P-52a; B-312a. 2003 Printer: Oesterreichische Banknoten und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH, Vienna, (Austria) - OEBS. Prefix: Ը Intro: 01.11.2003. Sign 2.
P-52b; B-312b. 2006 Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D. Prefix: Ծ Intro: 31.05.2006.
P-52c; B-312c. 2008 Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ. Prefix: Կ Intro: 14.04.2008.
P-57; B-317a.
Security features: Kinegram holographic stripe. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 10000.
Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ.
Date: 2012. Prefix: ԳԱ Intro: 25.06.2012. Sign 6.
20 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$41.53; €35.70) Color: Brown and yellow Dimensions: 151 x 72 mm
Front: Painter Martiros Saryan; lowers; holographic oval.
Back: Abstract landscape painting Armenia by Martiros Saryan.
Security: Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized AMD.
Watermark: Martiros Saryan and electrotype 20000.
Date:
P-47; B-308a. 1999 Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR. Prefix: Զ Intro: 01.03.1999. Sign 1.
Front: Painter Martiros Saryan; lowers; artist’s palette.
Dates:
P-53a; B-313a. 2007 Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D. Prefix: Է Intro: 15.06.2007. Sign 2.
P-53b; B-313b. 2009 Prefix: ԴԱ Intro: 11.01.2010. Sign 3.
P-58; B-318a.
Security: Kinegram holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 20000.
Printer: Johan Enschede en Zonen (Netherlands) - JEZ.
Date: 2012 Prefix: ԴԲ Intro: 25.06.2012. Sign 4.
100 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$207.63; €178.51) P-54; B-314a Color: Light blue and brown Dimensions: 160 x 72 mm
Front: Royal lag depicting Jesus Christ; King Abgar V of Edessa; 1st-century regional map; crown; ancient coin.
Back: Castles; disciple Thaddeus handing canvas depicting Jesus Christ to King Abgar V; river.
Security features: Kinegram holographic stripe. Solid security thread and Cleartext windowed security thread with demetalized AMD 100000.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: King Abgar V; electrotype 100000 and cross of king’s crown.
Date: 2009 Prefix: ԶԱ Intro: 24.08.2009. Sign 3.
Signatures:
Current banknotes
1000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$2.08; €1.79) P-61; B-319 Color: Violet Dimensions: 130 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: Portrait of Paruyr Sevak against the background of the fragments from his manuscripts and the images of the bells. SPARK Live pen.
Back: Monument to Paruyr Sevak in Yerevan against the background of his house and his birthplace village Zangakatun.
Security thread: 5mm-wide Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 1000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: Paruyr Sevak and electrotype 1000.
Dates:
a. 2018 Prefix: ԱԱ Intro: 25.12.2018. Sign 1.
b. 2022. Sign 3.
2000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$4.15; €3.57) P-62; B-320 Color: Brown Dimensions: 135 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: Portrait of Tigran Petrosian against the background of the fragments of the 9th World Chess Champion’s winning games and the scene of king coronation. SPARK Live crown.
Back: Monument to Tigran Petrosian in Yerevan and Chess House against the background of the city of Yerevan.
Security thread: 5mm-wide Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 2000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: Tigran Petrosian and electrotype 2000.
Date: 2018 Prefix: ԲԱ Intro: 25.12.2018. Sign 1.
5000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$10.38; €8.93) P-63; B-321 Color: Red Dimensions: 140 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: Portrait of William Saroyan against the background of the fragments from Saroyan’s “Pomegranates” story and the books illustrations. SPARK Live pomegranate.
Back: Monument to William Saroyan in Yerevan against the background of panorama of Baghesh in the early 20th century, the birthplace of his ansectors.
Security thread: 5mm-wide Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 5000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: William Saroyan and electrotype 5000.
Date: 2018 Prefix: ԳԱ Intro: 25.12.2018. Sign 1.
10 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$20.76; €17.85) P-64; B-322 Color: Gray Dimensions: 145 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: Portrait of Komitas Vardapet against the background of the fragments of his manuscripts and Armenian landscape. SPARK Live.
Back: Monument to Komitas in Etchmiadzin against the background of the building of Gevorgian Seminary and the fragments from the frescos of the seminary’s hall.
Security thread: 5mm-wide Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 10000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: Komitas Vardapet and electrotype 10000.
Date: 2018 Prefix: ԴԱ Intro: 22.11.2018. Sign 1.
20 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$41.53; €35.70) P-65; B-323 Color: Green Dimensions: 150 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: Portrait of Hovhannes Aivazovsky against the background of the fragments from his canvas. SPARK Live ship.
Back: Monument to Hovhannes Aivazovsky in Yerevan against the background of the building of Aivazovsky Art Gallery and a panorama of the painter’s birthplace Theodosia.
Security thread: 5mm-wide Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 20000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: Hovhannes Aivazovsky and electrotype 20000.
Dates:
a. 2018 Prefix: ԵԱ Intro: 22.11.2018. Sign 1.
b. 2021. Sign 2.
50 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$103.82; €89.26) P-66; B-324 Color: Yellow Dimensions: 155 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: The image of St Gregory the Illuminator against the background of the fragments from the manuscripts telling about the life and activities of the Pontiff, the images of a dome of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin and the winged cross. SPARK Live hand.
Back: St Gregory the Illuminator’s tombstone in Etchmiadzin against the background of the Mountain Ararat, the Khor Virap Monastery and a scene of Christianity adoption engraved on the wall of the St Astvatsatsin Church in the monastery complex.
Security thread: 5mm-wide Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 50000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: St Gregory and electrotype 50000.
Date: 2018 Prefix: ԷԱ Intro: 22.11.2018. Sign 1.
Signatures:
CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA videos
Commemorative and numismatic issues
50 000 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$103.82; €89.26) P-48; B-309 Color: Brown and gray Dimensions: 160 x 79 mm
Front: Embossed seal; cross; Echmiadzin Cathedral building.
Back: Church in the hands of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and King Tiridat the Great; stone carvings.
Security: Kinegram holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized 50000.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: Ornate cross with electrotype crosses.
Date: 2001 Prefix: ԷԱ, ԷԲ Intro: 04.06.2001.
Signatures: Tigran Sargsyan & Vardan Khachatryan.
500 ԴՐԱՄ Dram (US$1.04; €0.89) P-60; BNP301 Color: Gold and grey Dimensions: 140 x 76 mm Substrate: Hybrid™
Front: Images of Reliquary with a fragment of Noah’s Ark and the Monastery of Etchmiadzin, on the background - the Mount Ararat.
Back: Images of Noah and his family with animals and birds around them, on the background - the Mount Ararat.
Security features:
1. RollingStar® LEAD - Securiry foil with 3D image of the Noah's Ark fragment: contains dymanic and color shifting effects from gold to green.
2. Rolling Star Galaxy® - A window security thread with color shifting effects from gold to green: contains bright "swimming" 3D circles and interchangeables sections - an image of the Noah's Ark and a demetalized patterns of "500" & "AMD".
3. SPARK® Live - Securityfeature in the form of a dove witj an olive branch in its beak: contains color shifting effect from gold to green and a bright "swimming" 3D circle.
4. LaserCut™ - Transparent window with a precisely defined image of the Noah's Ark.
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient (Germany) - G&D.
Watermark: Noah’s Ark and electrotype 500.
Date: 2017 Prefix: ՆՏ Intro: 22-11-2017.
Quantity: 300 000 notes were packaged in brochures and sold for 1700 dram each.
Signatures: Artur Javadyan & Aramyan.
Folder:
Uncut sheet of 4:
Noah’s Ark video
Notes withdrawn from circulation exchangeable by the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia w/o time limit:
ARMENIAN REPUBLIC BANK
⦁ 10 Drams 1993
⦁ 25 Drams 1993
⦁ 50 Drams 1993
⦁ 100 Drams 1993
⦁ 200 Drams 1993
⦁ 500 Drams 1993
⦁ 1000 Drams 1994
⦁ 5000 Drams 1995
CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
⦁ 50 Drams 1998
⦁ 100 Drams 1998
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Armenian Dram – AMD) and foreign currencies: no restrictions. Cash in amounts exceeding USD 10,000.- or equivalent must be declared. Exempt from cash import declaration are passengers arriving from the Eurasian Customs Union ( Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Fed.)
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Armenian Dram -AMD) and foreign currencies: no restrictions up to USD 10,000.-or equivalent.
Warning: More than USD 10,000- must be transferred via a bank. Exempt are passengers departing to the Eurasian Customs Union ( Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russian Fed.)