The 500th anniversary of Armenian book printing

This silver collector coin is dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Armenian book printing.The first Armenian print book, Urbatagirq, was printed in Venice, Italy, in 1512 by Hakob Meghapart. The font of the book is orbicular and the printing bi-colored, in black and red. The work got his title presumably on a basis of the word Friday which was thought to be a day influenced by mascot, while those using the book were called Urbatatesq (“Friday-imaged”). Urbatagirq is a collection of prayers and wishes: it includes extensive sections from the Gospel and the poem Book of Lamentation by Grigor Narekatsi.Hakob Meghapart is the first Armenian printer, the beginner and founder of Armenian printing. His work was launched in Venice in early 16th century. The first Armenian mint founded by Meghapart started in 1512-1513 and it published probably 6 titles of books (5 of which survived). These are: Urbatagirq, Pataragatetr, Aghtarq, Parzatumar and Tagharan. Pages of Hakob Meghapart books are patterned. Books are small by size and cased with leather ornament. Hakob Meghapart is the pioneer in the Armenian typography. There is printing house after his name and a statue to him.

The 500th anniversary of Armenian book printing
Obverse: 
Logo of “Yerevan 2012 Worldwide Capital of the Book”, nominal value and year of issue; along the rim - inscription “CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA” in Armenian.
Reverse: 
Graphical picture of one of the Venice sights, ex-libris (the book mark) of the first Armenian printer – Hakob Meghapart, depictions of “Urbatagirq” (Friday book) and a picture “Patient visit” taken from it. Along the rim - inscription “Urbatagirq”, “500-th Anniversary of Armenian Book Printing” and issue year of the first Armenian book “1512”.
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Catalog ID: 
AM215CM1
Value: 
€100
Mintage: 
500
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Purity: 
0.925
Weight: 
33.6g
Diameter: 
40mm
Thickness: 
3.2mm
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