Medal - ARF - Memorial Rouble

In 1990 the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), also known as Dashnaktsutyun, issued Memorial Rubles to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of its founding. At the time Armenia was still under Soviet control and the ARF was in many ways serving as a government in exile to the Armenian community. The ARF was established in 1890 in Russia. The left-leaning political party advocated a unified, independent Armenia and was instrumental in the creation of the short-lived first Armenian Republic in 1918. In 1920 the Soviets took over Armenia and exiled the leadership of the ARF. The party became established in the Armenian Diaspora with affiliates in more than 20 nations. The party holds seats in the parliaments of Armenia, Nagarno-Karabakh and Lebanon. The obverse of the coin depicts the ARF emblem which features a sword, shovel, quill pen and an arm holding a banner. The reverse shows the Sardarapat memorial bell tower and Mount Ararat. At Saradarapt a rag-tag army of Armenians defeated the Ottomans in 1918 and established the first Armenian Republic. Precious metal versions of the Ruble were sold to collectors to raise funds. 4000 nickel-silver versions of the coin were also struck and distributed to party supporters in Soviet controlled Armenia and the Diaspora community. Also gold plated Proof patterns of the coin were made. The patterns feature either the obverse or reverse design of the coin, with the word “pattern” in Russian on the other side. Only 25 of each of the pattern coins were struck.