YEREVAN, April 21. /ARKA/. 500-Dram coins remain in circulation in Armenia; the decision to withdraw old-generation banknotes from circulation does not apply to them, according to a statement from the Central Bank’s press service.
Effective April 15, 2026, some second-generation banknotes in Armenia have been withdrawn from circulation due to wear.
“All coins, including the 500-Dram coin, remain in circulation and retain their status as legal tender. Citizens can freely use them for daily payments without any restrictions,” the regulator said in a statement.
According to the Central Bank Board’s decision of April 28, 2025, the following second-generation banknotes have been withdrawn from circulation:
500-Dram banknotes issued in 1999 (bearing a portrait of Alexander Tamanyan);
1000 drams issued in 1999, 2001, 2011, and 2015 (with a portrait of Yeghishe Charents);
5000 drams issued in 1999, 2003, 2009, and 2012 (with a portrait of Hovhannes Tumanyan);
10,000 drams issued in 2003, 2006, 2008, and 2012 (with a portrait of Avetik Isahakyan);
20,000 drams issued in 1999, 2007, 2009, and 2012 (with a portrait of Martiros Saryan).
Citizens of Armenia can exchange banknotes from the “old” issue free of charge and without limitation at commercial banks operating in the Republic of Armenia and at the Central Bank.
