Medal Honoring Mesrop Mashtots and Armenian Language Preservation

ANRO-1751

Obverse: Left-facing depiction of Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet. He is portrayed seated, with a scroll and an open book inscribed with early Armenian letters, symbolizing his contribution to Armenian literacy and culture. The surrounding inscription reads: "ՄԵՍՐՈՊ ՄԱՇՏՈՑ" (Mesrop Mashtots).

Reverse: Showcases an inspiring quote in Armenian by the poetess Silva Kaputikyan, emphasizing the importance of the Armenian language:
"ՈՒ ՏԵՍ, ՈՐԴԻՍ, ՈՒՐ ԷԼ ԼԻՆԵՍ,
ԱՅՍ ԼՈՒՍՆԻ ՏԱԿ ՈՒՐ ԷԼ ԳՆԱՍ,
ԹԷ ՄՕՐԴ ԱՆԳԱՄ ՄՏՔԻՑ ՀԱՆԵՍ
ՔՈ ՄԱՅՐ ԼԵԶՈՒՆ ՉՄՈՌԱՆԱՍ."
("And see, my son, wherever you may be,
Under this moon, wherever you may go,
If you ever, even once, forget your mother tongue,
Do not forget it.")
Below the text is the signature Ս. ԿԱՊՈՒՏԻԿԵԱՆ (S. Kaputikyan).

Specifications: 31.5x28.5mm, 10.91g
Artist / Engraver:
Mint:
Edge: Plain
Mintage:
Reference:
Image shown: ANRO collection inv. no.

Saint Mesrop Mashtots (362–440 AD) was a theologian, linguist, and scholar who invented the Armenian alphabet in 405 AD. This monumental achievement not only enabled the translation of the Bible into Armenian but also laid the foundation for Armenian literature, culture, and national identity. His work unified the Armenian people, particularly in the face of foreign influences, by preserving their language and religious texts. The accompanying poem on the reverse is by Silva Kaputikyan, a prominent Armenian poet of the 20th century, known for her patriotic and cultural works. Kaputikyan’s words reflect the deep importance of the Armenian language as a symbol of identity and resilience for Armenians worldwide.