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ARMENIA. Circa 18th century. Gilt Æ Medal (35mm, 7.97 g, 12h). Dated 1558. "St. Gregory help those of us who are suffering" (in Armenian), St. Gregory the Illuminator enthroned facing, holding in his left hand the pontifical crosier and raising right hand in blessing; A and H (in Armenian) at shoulders, A.1558.K. below / Legend (first line of the first verse from the hymn of Holy Etchmiadzin), south-west view of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin; A.301.P. (in Armenian; "Savior of All") below. H.V. Sarkissian, "A Group of Armenian Religious Medals of the Eighteenth Through Twentieth Century," Armenian Numismatic Journal XV.1 (1989), 1. See Triton V, lot 2320 for another example. Chipped with original loop missing, scratches. VF.
St. Gregory the Illuminator (regnal period 302-305 AD) was the first catholicos, or pontiff, of the Armenian Church. King Tiridates, whom he baptized, aided St. Gregory to construct the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin (Etchmiadzin in Armenian means "the place where the Only Begotten Son descended") which is commemorated by the reverse of this medal. The cathedral remains today the Holy See of the Armenian Church where the Catholicos of all Armenians still occupies his throne (see Y.T. Nercessian, "Armenia and the Los Angeles Medals; 2. Etchmiadzin," in Armenian Numismatic Studies, pp. 579-580).
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 127 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 17-18 September 2024. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 18 September at 9 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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