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Armenian Numismatic Society Issues Paul Z. Bedoukian Medal

PICO RIVERA, CA - On September 1, 2000, the Armenian Numismatic Society presented Dr. Paul Z. Bedoukian with a gold and silver medal, having his image on one side, and with the Society seal on the other side.

The obverse portrait was designed by artist/sculptor Hagop Ishkhanian. The reverse Armenian Numismatic Society logo was originally created by Y. T. Nercessian and first appeared on the cover of the Armenian Numismatic Journal in 1975. This is the first medal struck by the Armenian Numismatic Society since its establishment in 1971.

Dr. Bedoukian produced a steady stream of scholarly papers on Armenian coinages, which were published in leading numismatic and Armenological periodicals in Europe and the USA. Gradually, he became recognized as the world's foremost authority on Armenian numismatics. His many books, including Coinage of Cilician Armenia (New York, 1962), Roman Coins and Medallions Relating to Armenia (Vienna, 1971), Coinage of the Artaxiads of Armenia (London, 1978), Selected Numismatic Studies (Los Angeles, 1981), and Coinage of the Armenian Kingdoms of Sophene and Commagene. (New York, 1983 and Los Angeles, 1985), continue to be relied upon today as standard reference manuals in their respective fields.

Dr. Bedoukian spearheaded a movement to strike Armenian medals and underwrote most of the expenditure for this purpose. These include the St. Vartan Cathedral consecration medal (1968), Komitas Vartabed centennial medal (1969), Armenian Church in America 75th anniversary medal (1973), and Armenian General Benevolent Union 75th anniversary medal (1981).

Dr. Bedoukian never sold a single Armenian coin. Rather, he has donated about 10,000 Armenian coins, as well as important collections of Armenian antiquities and rare books, to more than twenty American, Armenian, and European museums.

A limited number of 0.999 fine one troy ounce silver medals, 1.5 inches in diameter (39 mm), as well as several of Dr. Bedoukian's publications, are made available to the public for purchase by the Armenian Numismatic Society. The Society may be contacted c/o 8511 Beverly Park Place, Pico Rivera, CA 90660 or by e-mail at [email protected].