YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. On October 5, Armenia will issue a commemorative silver coin titled “COP17,” dedicated to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Central Bank of Armenia’s press service reports.
The coin has a face value of 1,000 drams and a mintage of 300 pieces. It is struck from .925 fine silver, weighs 33.6 grams, has a diameter of 40 mm, and is produced in “proof” quality.
The obverse features the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia and a stylized tricolor flag. The reverse displays the COP17 logo—a stylized image of the *Polyommatus eriwanensis* butterfly (Yerevan Blue)—along with the inscriptions “COP17, YEREVAN, ARMENIA” and “TAKING ACTION FOR NATURE.”
The design is by Anna Kurghinyan. The coin was minted at the Royal Dutch Mint.
About COP17
In 2026, Armenia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) and will hold the presidency of the Convention until 2028.
The *Polyommatus eriwanensis* (Yerevan Blue) butterfly—an endemic species listed in Armenia’s Red Book—has been selected as the official symbol of COP17.
The Conference of the Parties is the supreme decision-making body of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity; it convenes every two years with the participation of representatives from the Convention’s member states.
