25 Dram (Temple of Garni)

The 25 Dram coin was issued by the Central Bank of Armenia in 1994 as part of the country's first series of coins following the introduction of the dram as the national currency in 1993. The coin served to stabilize the domestic economy and establish a sovereign monetary identity shortly after Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union. The design reflects a deliberate focus on national heritage, selecting the ancient Temple of Garni—a first-century Hellenistic structure—as a symbol of the nation's historical continuity.

Designed to be functional and durable, the coin was minted in aluminum, which was a common choice for smaller denominations in transitional economies of the early 1990s. The obverse features the state emblem of Armenia, while the reverse depicts the iconic colonnade of the Garni Temple, an architectural landmark located in the Kotayk Province. The coin was received as a straightforward, utilitarian piece of statehood, providing a tangible link to pre-Christian Armenian architecture while meeting the immediate need for small-change currency.