In 2026, Georgia celebrates the 1,700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion. To commemorate this landmark event in the country's history, the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) has issued gold and silver collector coins.

The coin designs were developed by the NBG in cooperation with the Patriarchate of Georgia. The coins were minted by the Mint of Poland.

In 326, Georgia declared Christianity as the state religion. This event had a profound impact on the development of Georgian history and culture. Over the centuries, the Christian faith became one of the principal foundations of Georgian identity and played an important role in shaping the country's national identity, values, and culture. This historic event is associated with the preaching of St. Nino and the conversion to Christianity of King Mirian and Queen Nana.

The main design element on the obverse of the coin is an image of St. Nino's Grapevine Cross, a symbol of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia and of the Georgian Orthodox Church, alongside a scene depicting the mass baptism of the Georgian people. Three doves in the upper-left section symbolize the Holy Trinity, while the olive branch held in the beak of one of the doves symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The upper part of the coin bears the circular inscription “საქართველო ქრისტიანული სახელმწიფო - 1700” (“Georgia A Christian State 1700”), while the anniversary number “1700” appears in stylized form beneath the cross. On the silver coin, the cross is rendered in three dimensions using a new technology that gives it a wood-like texture, while the stylized number “1700” is gold-colored.

The main design element on the reverse of the coin is Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, symbolizing the strength and continuity of the Christian faith in Georgia. An inscription indicating the coin's denomination appears in an arc above the cathedral's dome. Sun rays above the arc symbolize eternity and Christ as the “Light of the World.” The coin is encircled by a traditional Georgian ornament representing interconnectedness and an unbroken heritage. The upper part of the coin bears the inscriptions “საქართველო 2026 GEORGIA.”

The typeface used for the inscriptions was created specifically for the design of these coins.

 

 

Gold Coin Specifications

Denomination: 10 lari
Composition: Au 900
Weight: 8.5 g
Diameter: 25 mm
Edge: Smooth
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 3,000
Year of issue: 2026

Silver Coin Specifications

Denomination: 5 lari
Composition: Ag 925
Weight: 28.28 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Edge: Smooth
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 10,000
Year of issue: 2026

A total of 3,000 gold coins have been minted, with a selling price of 3,250 lari per coin.
The 10,000 silver coins have a selling price of 300 lari per coin.

Sales of the coins will begin on October 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The coins will be available for purchase at the cash desks of the NBG Cash Center and the Kvareli Money Museum, as well as through the Money Museum's online store.

NBG Cash Center - Address: 2 Iason Lortkipanidze Street (72 Kakheti Highway), Tbilisi. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (break: 1:00-2:00 p.m.).

Kvareli Money Museum - Address: 10 Shota Rustaveli Street, Kvareli. Opening hours: Thursday to Monday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (break: 1:00-2:00 p.m.).

Money Museum Online Store: https://moneymuseum.nbg.gov.ge/


To enable as many interested customers as possible to purchase the coins, an initial purchase limit has been introduced: each customer may purchase a maximum of one gold coin and/or one silver coin.

Customers purchasing coins at the cash desks of the NBG Cash Center or the Kvareli Money Museum must present a valid identity document.