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One of the more symbolic and beautifully designed silver coins in my stack has to be the 2015 1oz Armenian Noah’s Ark silver coin. It’s a piece that combines biblical storytelling, national pride, and exceptional minting — all in a neat little 1oz round of .999 fine silver.
This coin stands out from the usual suspects. Designed by Eduard Kurghinyan, the reverse side shows the famous Ark floating across vast floodwaters, Mt. Ararat rising in the background, and the sun breaking through the clouds. But what really catches the eye is the dove in mid-flight, olive branch in beak — a symbol of hope and peace. Whether you’re religious or not, the imagery hits you. It feels like a story on a coin.
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Flip it over and you’ve got the official coat of arms of Armenia, along with the denomination of 500 DRAM and the date — in my case, 2015. It’s legal tender too, issued by the Central Bank of Armenia, though obviously I’d never dream of spending it at face value.
Despite being Armenian currency, it’s actually minted in Germany by one of the country’s top private mints — and you can tell. The quality is up there with the best government-minted bullion. At 38.6mm across and 2.8mm thick, it’s got that reassuring size and weight we stackers appreciate. It feels solid in the hand — like a coin that means something.
I’ve had this coin in my stack for a while now, and I still enjoy pulling it out of the tube from time to time just to take a look. Some coins you buy purely as investment, others for collecting — this one ticks both boxes for me. It’s part of a series that’s still ongoing, but there’s something about the earlier years like this 2015 that gives them a little extra appeal.