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On October 1, 2025, the Central Bank of Armenia puts into circulation “150th birth anniversary of Avetik Isahakian” gold collector coin.

Collector coin dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Avetik Isahakian 

AVETIK ISAHAKIAN (1875-1957), renowned Armenian poet, prose writer, public figure, publicist, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR (1943).

Isahakian was born in the town of Alexandrapol (now Gyumri). He took his primary education in Alexandrapol, carried on studying at the Haritch monastery school, and later on at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of Etchmiadzin.

In the period 1893-1895 Isahakian studied at the Department of Literature and Philosophy of the University of Leipzig, Germany.

In 1897 the first collection of Isahakian’s poems titled “Songs and Wounds” was published in Alexandrapol.

In 1909 he wrote the famous poem “Abu-Lala Mahari”, where the main character was the poet himself  – a bearer of the universal pain and suffering, and a tragedy of personality.

In addition to his literary life, Isahakian was engaged in national-political activities, for which he was repeatedly persecuted. For almost 20 years he had been forced to live and create away from his homeland – in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France.

In 1936 Isahakian returned to his homeland. He spent the last years of his life enjoying people’s love and respect; he was given the honorable title Varpet (“Master”).

In 1946-1957 Isahakian was the chairman of the Union of Writers of Armenia.

Avetik Isahakian is a multi-genre author: he wrote poems, short stories, fables, as well as public articles, memoirs and letters related to the Armenian Issue. 

The poet’s works have been translated into many languages. Songs, symphonies, other types of music compositions have been written based on the works he created.

Many streets, schools, libraries in Armenia carry the name of Avetik Isahakian, there are house-museums named after Isahakian and monuments erected in his memory in Yerevan and Gyumri. The Union of Writers of Armenia established the “Avetik Isahakian” literary award, in honor of the poet.

Obverse: Mount Aragats, a quatrain from Avetik Isahakian’s poem “To Aragats”.

Reverse: Avetik Isahakian’s portrait and signature.

Designers: Karapet Abrahamyan (obverse), Lusine Lalayan (reverse).

The coin is minted at the Mint of Poland.

Technical specification 

Face value	10 000 dram
Metal/fineness	gold 9000
Weight	8,6 g
Diameter	22,0 mm
Quality	proof
Edge	ribbed
Quantity of issue	300 pcs
Year of issue	2025