On April 21, 2025, the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia issued a commemorative gold coin honoring Gerard L. Cafesjian (1925–2013) on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Cafesjian was a distinguished Armenian-American lawyer, publisher, and philanthropist whose generosity and vision significantly shaped Armenian cultural and civic life.
Gerard Leon Cafesjian was born in 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, into a family of Armenian immigrants who had survived the Armenian Genocide. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he pursued higher education, earning his bachelor’s degree and later a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University. Cafesjian began his professional career as a lawyer and eventually transitioned into publishing, joining West Publishing Company. His acumen and leadership led him to the role of Executive Vice President, contributing greatly to the company’s success.
Following the sale of West Publishing in 1996, Cafesjian dedicated much of his acquired wealth to philanthropic causes, particularly focusing on his ancestral homeland, Armenia. Establishing the Cafesjian Family Foundation, he contributed more than 100 million USD toward various initiatives, from earthquake relief and media independence to cultural heritage projects. Most notably, he was instrumental in the creation of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Yerevan’s Cascade complex. Opened in 2009, this center quickly became a cornerstone of Armenia’s cultural landscape, housing internationally acclaimed sculptures and attracting millions of visitors.
The commemorative coin issued in his honor reflects Cafesjian’s deep connection to both Armenian heritage and the arts. The obverse of the coin features an expertly rendered portrait of Cafesjian alongside the intricate jewelry artwork “Circus Parade in Park City,” symbolizing his passion for artistic creativity and public engagement. The reverse depicts the twin-heart monument from the “Alley of Armenian Benefactors” memorial complex, designed by sculptor F. Arakelyan, along with inscriptions reading “ԵՐԱԽՏԱՊԱՐՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ” (Gratitude) in Armenian and English, highlighting the nation’s collective appreciation for Cafesjian’s contributions.
Technically, the coin is crafted from gold of .900 fineness, weighing 8.6 grams with a diameter of 22 millimeters, featuring a reeded edge and minted to proof quality in Poland. Limited to a mintage of just 300 pieces.