Coin Finds from the Surveys of Northern Pisidia and the Excavations at Timbriada and Zindan Monastery

Analyzing the published researches by previous researchers of new finds of coins of the different periods we were determining as one of the actual directions of research in the medieval numismatics in Ukraine. Examining the scientific achievements of the Ukrainian numismatists, we have determined a significant gap in the focus of research on the findings of coins of the Western Roman Empire and the territory of Ukraine, in particular, the sporadic conclusions are also published by researchers analyzing the existence of Roman coins in this period. The aim of the study. The main purpose of the article is to discover the historiography of the study of the findings of coins of the Western Roman Empire in the period of the IV – the beginning of the V cent. in Ukrainian historiography. Research methodology. In the process of scientific research of the topic the general scientific methods were used: analytical, chronological, and topographic, as well as special methods: critical, metrological and iconographic. The scientific novelty is that for the first time conclusions of scientific current development of the topography of finds of late Roman coins on the territory of Ukraine were introduced into scientific circulation, some observations on the introduction of these finds into scientific circulation were given.
 The Conclusions. Most of the finds introduced by numismatists into scientific circulation belong to those found in the nineteenth century, about only part of which are preserved information about their transfer to museum collections. Subsequently, almost the same published finds were re-introduced into scientific circulation, republished in various topographies of finds, somewhat supplemented by new discoveries of coins of the Western Roman Empire. It should also be noted that in most cases the descriptions of the finds contain sufficiently abbreviated and concise information, there are no descriptions of coins, an indication of their varieties, mostly the issuer is indicated, the denomination, less often – the legend is transmitted. It is an unfortunate fact that severely damaged coins are found, the identification of which becomes possible only approximately, and in the topographies of such messages processed by the authors a rather significant number.
 The most famous treasures and finds of coins, which have been published by a number of authors and mentioned in numerous popular science publications, are the treasure from the village of Laski, the dubious treasure of Roman coins from historical Obolon, the find in the Uspensky and Vydubichi Cathedrals – information about which compilations and all compiled archaeological maps of numismatists during the twentieth century – thus becoming a classic treasures.
 In modern Ukrainian the numismatics and scientists publishing the findings discovered during the official archaeological professional searches, as well as unauthorized amateur and accidental finds. At the present stage of studying this issue, it is necessary to compile a complete topographic map of the findings of Roman coins of IV-V centuries with their analysis to obtain conclusions on the distribution and existence of these coins in Ukraine. 
 Finds of the Roman gold coins always attract a special and more attention, so there are several separate examples of similar finds in Ukraine, published by scientists. The finds of Roman gold medallions deserve special attention, because each of them is extremely rare. Information on individual numismatic finds in the process of official archaeological exploration with available coins of the Western Roman Empire was published by archaeologists. In ancient times, it was common to use coins as jewelry – giving them a «second life». In the outlined chronological period, the coin finds also differed in a significant number of silver and gold coins with available soldered ears – turned into pendants, neck ornaments. 
 As the prospects of further research we see we see the introduction into scientific circulation and processing of new finds of Roman coins of this period in Ukraine to display the highest quality and complete topographic map.

The article publishes in preliminary form the coin finds made at the cemetery from the 11th–13th century in Nesvětice in the Most district. The site is located outside lignite Bílina Quarry in northwest Bohemia. An archaeological excavation was conducted in two stages: 1984–1988 and 2013–2023, during which time a total of 2250 graves have been investigated. The coin finds were made in the years 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. This paper descri bes only coins found up to 2020, because more recent finds have not yet been processed. Of the 13 coins found by 2020 (11 denarii and two bracteates), 11 are linked to a specific grave. The dating of the coins covers the entire period of use of the cemetery, beginning with a denarius of Duke Oldřich from 1012–1033 and ending with a denarius of Ottokar II from 1253–1270. Despite the large number of uncovered graves, the burials of only twenty individuals (1 %) were furnished with a coin(s).

The aim of the study. Determination of the geographical direction and time of existence of the «Via Tatarica» trade road. An overview of methodological approaches to the use of data from numismatics and written sources. Designation of cities from the list of trade road «Via Tatarica» on the map. For greater clarity, part of the region map was used. A brief overview of the stages of the coinage in Ulus Juchi during the reign of Toqtu khan (1290-1312). Cautions against the dating of any monuments at the end of the 13th century in the presence of unattributed coins bearing the name of this khan. Suggestions for dating the existence of the «Via Tatarica» trade road with reliable sources. Main results of the study. The geographic location of the cities listed on the «Via Tatarica» trade road illustrates the inappropriate use of this road. Identification of inconsistency between the terms «asper baricati» in the terminology of Genoese notarial documents and «juchid dirhams» among the coin denominations. A brief overview of the term system of Genoese notarial acts does not allow the sign of equality between the money-weight term “asper baricati” and the name of the coin denomination Ulus Juchi – «dirham», or any other. These are different terms that exist in different terminology systems and define different concepts. Sometimes their weight characteristics may coincide, but even under such conditions it is impossible to place an equal sign between them. The coin case of Ulus Juchi during the reign of Toqtu khan (1290-1312) has two distinct periods. They are separated by money reform, held in 1310. The essence of this reform – the replacement of a large number of money and weight systems and coin systems into a single system, based on several units of weight and the only coin denomination – dang. Silver coins – dangs with the name of Toqtu khan, which were minted in Saray in 1310, are well known among the numerous treasures. These treasures are often dated to the middle or second half of the 14th century on the coins of the third quarter of the 14th century. Most modern scientific research on archeological monuments, which is on the list of this work, in particular at Torgovytsi, does not have a clear definition of the types and time of minting silver coins with name of Toqtu khan. Therefore, such data cannot be used to date the monument from the beginning of the reign of the khan, that is, the end of the 13th century. Moreover, the presence in the finds of coins in 1310 minting at all cannot surely testify that they fell into the archaeological layer precisely during the reign of Toqtu khan. Changing the standard dating of monuments and historical events of the «end of the 13th – 14th c.». Often, in a critical approach, such a broad dating disintegrates and establishes a more realistic time that begins with 40-80 years of the 14th c. The use of knowledge in other branches of historical science, such as numismatics and cartography, requires the involvement of specialists from these fields to be attracted. For the first time, the use of the term «asper baricati» is considered in the light of a given term system, which forms the basis of monetary case in the territory of the Northern Black Sea Coast. It is clearly stated that the term «asper baricati» has no dials with any coins denomination of Juchids. Briefly and affordably, the peculiarities of the coin case in Ulus Juchi during the reign of Toqtu khan (1290-1312) are considered. It is response to the impossibility of dating events and monuments during the reign of this khan, based on insufficiently attributed or no dated coins, which are used in modern historiography.

Archaeological Research on Islamic Pottery from Qal´eh Sang, Old Sirjan (Kerman Province, Iran)

During the systematic archaeological investigations taking place in the southern side of Histria in 2011– 2012, several dozens of ancient coins were discovered in the main trenches located between the “Southern Sector” and the “Basilica extra muros Sector”. Among the 37 identified ones, six were Greek coins issued before the Roman rule at Histria, 27 were Greek and Roman coins from the age of the Principate, three coins were dated to the Late Roman Empire and a single one to the Early Byzantine period. Most coins were found among the remains of a large building, constructed perhaps at the beginning of the 3rd century AD, and which was affected by the events of the “ Scythian war”, being definitively destroyed by fire during the first two decades of the 4th century AD, as indicated by the monetary pieces captured under its ruins, the latest one from the end of the Tetrarchy. Several provincial and imperial coins bear traces of burning, melted metal depositions, sometimes portions of their surface being heavily melted. From another context comes the most recent coin, dating to Justinian I, found in the zone of the cobblestone platforms from the southern extremity of the site, presumably related to the harbor development during the 6th century AD.

The purpose of the article is to study the finds of coins of the Golden Horde from the environs of Endirey in the context of the medieval history of the settlement of Endirey. Research materials: Finds of coins from the vicinity of the village. Novelty of the research: Numismatic finds from the Endirey are published for the first time. The archaeology of Dagestan of the Golden Horde period remains largely a “white spot” to this day. Coin finds of the 14th–15th centuries made on the territory of Dagestan remain quite rare. In recent years, finds of a large number of Juchid coins from the end of the 14th to the first half of the 15th century became known for the first time at one of the archaeological sites in the vicinity of the village of Endirey, Dagestan. A hoard of silver coins of the Golden Horde of the early 15th century was also discovered. The author managed to get acquainted with some of the individual finds of coins. A number of medieval archaeological sites are known in the vicinity of the village. Archaeologically, the surroundings of the village have been poorly investigated and the monuments themselves have not been dated accurately enough. Judging by the coin finds that have become known, the Golden Horde city, located in the vicinity of Endirey, played an important economic role in the Caucasus in the 14th–15th centuries. Apparently, trade routes that led from mountainous area of Chechnya to the Caspian Sea and from the Volga Delta to Chechnya intersected here. It is possible that silver Golden Horde coins were minted in the city.

The purpose of the research paper is to study the geographical distribution of the coins of Epidamnus-Dyrrachium in the 2nd century BC. The novelty of the research paper is a comprehensive analysis of the geographical distribution of Epidamnus-Dyrrachium coins from the 2nd century BC using results of modern archaeological excavations and advanced analytical techniques. This study not only maps the widespread distribution of these coins across the Balkans and coastal regions but also examines the economic and geopolitical factors contributing to their prominence. Conclusions. As a result of the study, the Epidamnus-Dyrrachium coinage of the 2nd century BC was discovered in a larger geographical area than those of the 4th-3rd centuries BC. Silver coins of Epidamnus-Dyrrachium of the 2nd century BC have been discovered in the territories of modern states such as Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Kosovo, and Romania. The success of the Epidamnus-Dyrrachium coin in this century can be explained by two factors: first, the cause was trade and economy. Epidamnus-Dyrrachium was a commercial city that had a demand/supply for many products and material goods in the markets. Merchants bought and sold various products in the Balkans and Italy for their internal market and for the Illyrian markets. Second, the cause was the war. The amount of coins discovered in this century is considerable, more than in their country of origin. Trade cannot be the only reason for such success. The 2nd century BC was a period of war between the various Balkan kingdoms and the Roman Republic. The coins of Epidamnus-Dyrrachium were used to pay mercenary soldiers and to bribe different leaders from different Balkan territories. Further research in this area should focus on conducting more extensive and systematic archaeological excavations in regions such as Kosovo, Montenegro, Greece, and North Macedonia. These areas have significant potential for the discovery of new coin finds that could provide a more complete understanding of the spatial distribution and economic impact of Epidamnus-Dyrrachium coins in the 2nd century BC. By expanding the geographical scope of archaeological research, researchers can fill in existing data gaps and gain a clearer picture of ancient trade networks and economic interactions.

The rings and coins described below were found in a field adjacent to the presumed Iron Age earthwork in Rampier Copse, immediately to the south-west of the walled town of Calleva Atrebatum and about ioo m south of the road to Sorviodunum (FIG. 1). They were discovered by Mr J. Young and two colleagues using metal detectors after the field had been ploughed in the winter of 1986–7. In the autumn of 1985 a single gold ring (FIG. 2, No. 5) and four silver coins had been recovered from the same area and it was suggested that they had once formed part of a hoard. At the Coroner's inquest in December 1987 it was reported that the new finds were widely scattered and it was for this reason that the court decided that they were not treasure-trove. However, given the rarity of single finds of such coins and rings as opposed to the instances where they have been found in association with each other, it would be perverse to suppose that they did not originate from at least one hoard. Indeed, after the discovery had been reported, one of us visited the field in the spring of 1987 and noted that the area of greatest disturbance was confined to a small area adjacent to the field boundary and the tail of the counterscarp bank of the earthwork at SU 63486212 (FIG. 1). It is likely that both sets of finds derive from the same hoard and it is on the assumption of a common origin that the new finds are reported here.

У районі басейну р. Тясмину, як і в цілому на території Дніпровського Правобережного Лісостепу, зустрічаються знахідки давньогрецьких монет ІV ст. до н.е., у тому числі й досить рідкісні. Серед корпусу знахідок давньогрецьких монет на території басейну р. Тясмин особливе місце належить монетам Ольвії. У статті розглядаються знахідки в басейні р. Тясмину мідних монет Ольвії з Деметрою та «істрійським» варіантом міської емблеми. Номінал цього типу монет дослідники досить часто визначають як «обол». В історіографії містяться відомості про імена монетних магістратів відповідальних за випуск цього типу монет. Кількість цих імен у різних дослідників коливається від 14 до 20. Проте, ймовірно, ця кількість імен має бути більшою. Проаналізовані у статті ольвійські оболи з Деметрою та «істрійським» варіантом міської емблеми, знайдені далеко за межами ольвійської хори, вперше введені до наукового обігу монети даного типу, що значно розширює раніше відому топографію знахідок монет цього типу. Знахідки в басейні р. Тясмин на території Олександрівського району Кіровоградської та Чигиринського району Черкаської області монет, карбованих у IV ст. до н.е. у грецькій колонії Ольвії, свідчать про існування зв’язків населення басейну р. Тясмин з мешканцями грецьких міст Північно-Західного Причорномор’я у вказаний хронологічний період. Знахідки давньогрецьких монет на території Дніпровського Правобережного Лісостепу, у тому числі й районі басейну Тясмину, спростовують побутуючу в історіографії думку про те, що мешканці Середнього Подніпров’я мали виключно товарообмінні операції з грецькими колоніями в Північному Причорномор’ї, а бронзові монети, які випадково і в незначних обсягах потрапляли до даного регіону, могли використовуватися як сировина для виготовлення бронзових предметів.

Following the footsteps of ancient civilizations is not easy at all. One should always start from the oldest data, going through the itineraries of guidebooks, legends, legends, comparisons, archaeological excavations, assumptions and hypotheses of different authors.
 The territory of Dardania, was a very rich territory with various and very precious mines and minerals, and also to search for a very rich city and civilization which is known more by its coins, is also challenging but also easily defined. According to the data and finds of coins from this city we see that we have done with the extension of the monopoly all over the Illyrian Peninsula, including Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo as well.
 Therefore, we should always look for the city of Damastion in the area of ancient Dardania, since this area also had an influence on the entire region.

The Saxon church in Novo Brdo - Santa Maria in Novomonte

The article discuss two new finds in the Lviv region of coins of the Podillia principality, minted on behalf of Prince Konstantin Koriatyvych. One Podillia half-grosz was found in the Busk district near the Poltva river, and the second coin was accidentally found in the Zolochiv district of the Lviv region. It is noteworthy that these two districts are neighboring and during the existence of these coins formed the border between Galicia and Podillia. The most probable reason for the discovery of these coins in this area can be explained by the desire of Podillia merchants to sell their goods on the border with the Galicia-Volyn state, because to take them to Lviv through the warehouse right granted to the city was unprofitable. It is known that the main powerful direction of trade in Lviv was the Crimea, trade was carried out through the shopping centers of Podillia. This route of movement of the goods of Lviv merchants is confirmed by the findings of Lviv coins, distributed along the trade routes from Lviv to Moldavia and Kafa. Exotic goods from distant Venice, Persia, China and Alexandria came to Lviv via Kafa, Sudak and Belgorod. Further movement of goods took place to Krakow, Gdansk, Prague and Regensburg. 
 Among the coin finds in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions – minted in Lviv, Prague and Polish coins predominate. There are no common treasures of Lviv coins with the Golden Horde coins. In Ivano-Frankivsk region, together with Lviv, Moldovan money was hidden, and in Ternopil region – the so-called «Kyiv imitations» and Podillia coins. In the Chernivtsi region, along with Lviv and Prague coins, Golden Horde dirhams and Moldavian coins were found. Among the Moldavian – coins of the Stephen the Great, which confirms the existence of a trade route from Lviv to the Crimea through the Moldavian lands, starting from the last decades of the XIV century. In Khmelnytsky and Vinnytsia oblasts, finds with Lviv coins show an impressive presence of coins of different monetary systems. Podillia became an important international exchange of goods, which is reflected in the deposition of coins in treasures. In Ternopil, Khmelnytsky and Vinnytsia oblasts, 2,594 Lviv coins accounted for 1,650 coins of Casimir III, Wladyslaw of Opole and Louis of Hungary (from 1350-1380) and 944 coins and half-groszes of Władysław Jagiello, minted in Lviv during 1387-1412. The predominance of coins of Casimir III, Wladyslaw of Opole and Louis of Hungary fits into the assertion that in their time trade routes to the Crimea via Podillia were the main ones. Among the 263 Lviv coins of the 14th century found in the Cherkasy region, only three coins with the name of Wladyslav Jagiello, that is, in the last decades of the 14th century. Lviv merchants hardly reached the Dnieper. They stopped in Podolia, where they bought all the necessary oriental goods. Finds of Lviv silver coins allow us to establish that since the end of the 1380s Podillia lands have been in the center of trade transactions. If before they were a transit territory, now they have become the most important transshipment point in trade with the east. In the end, this eventually led to the minting of a small Podillia coin (half a fraction of Prague money common in Eastern and Central Europe) to meet the needs of a lively local market.
 The vast majority of Podillia half-groszes recorded by Igor Yakovelis in joint treasures with Lviv coins were found in the Khmelnytsky region. Only one – in Ternopil, 7 pcs. in Vinnytsia and 2 pcs. in the Cherkassy region. The fact that the finds of Podillia coins are localized, mostly in the Khmelnytsky region and partly in the Vinnytsia region, indicates that the reason for their minting was the service of rapid trade right here, in the transshipment point on the way of oriental goods. The two Podillia half-groszes from the Lviv region put into scientific circulation may indicate that the Podillia merchants arrived with their goods (probably also of eastern origin) on the border of the Podillia principality and Galician Rus’. In fact, they did not invent a new route, but used the old «Tatar road» that led from Lviv to Zolochiv, Terebovlia and Kamyanets. Along this path, the two most western finds of Podillia coins were recorded – in Zolochiv and Busk districts.

The aim of the study is presentation of a new hoard of ancient coins discovered in the Ukraine. In the Summer of 2019 fifteen bronze coins of Olbia (Greek polis in the North West Black Sea region) were found in the Kyiv region. Research methodology – principles of science, historicism, objectivity, methods of analysis, classification, generalization, historical-genetic and historical-typological. Scientific novelty. All coins are of “Borysthenes” type (head of river god Borysthenes / Scythian axe, bow in case, ΟΛΒΙΟ). An assemblage has been described by the founder as found in the ground between village Lukyanivka and the town Tarashcha (Kyiv region), near the highway P 04. The coins are dated to the end of fourth and the middle of the third century BC. The assemblage is one of interesting finds of Olbian coins on the way from the North Pontic Region to the West. The hoard from Lukyanivka is one of finds registered very far outside of Greek states of the northern coast of Black Sea. The cognitive value of the hoard lies above all in the region of its finding. The find from Lukyanivka is an important find as in recent years Olbian bronze coins as well as Bosporan coins were found on Celtic settlements in Poland (Upper Silesia; other coin finds were registered in Central Poland) and Czech Republic (Celtic oppidum at Nĕmcice, Moravia; a very rich assemblage of Greek and Roman coins). The find from Lukyanivka is a new important element in the discussion on inflow of Olbian coins to the West. The Lukyanivka hoard consists of 15 bronze coins with the head of river god Borysthenes, one of the most popular coins of Olbia. According to data obtained from the founder, the coins were found together in ‘one place’ but at ‘different depth’. In the founder’s opinion the value of the information on the find can’t be negated. Following to the chronology of “Borysthenes” coins proposed by P. O. Karyshkovskii coins found not far from Lukyanivka should be dated from the late fourth century BC to the ca. 250 BC. The most coins are dated to 290 – 250 BC. The structure of the Lukyanivka hoard should be treated as ‘typical’ for hoards of Olbian coins. The Conclusions. The find from Lukyanivka confirms that in the third century BC the most popular Olbian pieces of “Borysthenes” type penetrated the area of the Central Ukraine, precisely Middle Ros river region, in significant quantity. The “assemblage” is important find as the majority of Olbian and Bosporan coins in Central Europe – find from Germany is doubt all are single finds. The coins described in the article fills “a gap” between finds from Dnieper and Dniester rivers and Central European finds. The find is located inside the “tongue-shaped” area of finds from the North Pntic region). The “tongue-shaped” area dominated’ by single finds. The area of Olbian and Bosporan coin-finds indicates that the appearance of coins minted by Pontic Greek poleis in Central Europe may be connected with activity of people of Scythian culture. This is extremely important as we have in mind a unique find of Greek amphora from the Scythian settlement located in the south-eastern Poland.

Copper Golden Horde coins with double-headed eagles and flowery rosette have been encountered in goods of many settlements of Kirovograd, Mikolaiv, Odessa and Herson region. But they concentrate in several places: Torhovytsia on Siniukha River and settlement Horodok (Balykley) on Buh river. A coin of this type different author attributed by Khan Janibegs (1342—1357) and date of 1340—1350s. Also a great number of finds of silver Golden Horde coins of the 14th century has been registered in Buh River region. The hoard found in Torhovytsia, which, besides the six Prague groats of Wenceslaus II (1300—1305), of Johon I of Luxembourg and of Charles I (1310—1346), contained also the 167 Golden Horde’s silver coins, minted in the period from Tokhta (1291—1311) to Nawruz (1359—1360). A wide distribution of the Copper Golden Horde of 1340—1350s in Buh River region gives a testimony to the fact the existence of the few steppe cities in this region. Also an imitations of these coins are met in these region. There is an assumption that imitations of copper Golden Horde coins Janibegs were minted in Balykley. This finds mark the most important centers on the trade routs in the middle of the 14th century. Major stimuli for these cities and trade routs development were salt mines in Northern Black Sea Region. Also, the emblem of the Golden Horde double headed eagles and other zoomorphic images are discussed. On base written and numismatic sources author comes to conclusion that the zoomorphic images (including double-headed eagles) on the coins may be connected with the legal system and tribal structure of Golden Horde. Golden Horde ulus-begs must also receive together with yarligs right of the mintage of the copper coins with private or tribal signs and symbols, аnd double headed eagles was one of them.

The paper presents another case study provided by archaeological investigations following the building of a motorway in the vicinity of the archaeological site of Sutor. The research area targeted the vicus adjacent to the Roman auxiliary fort of Optatiana in the province of Dacia (today, Sutor, Sălaj County, Romania). The analysis of coin finds, issuers, types, denominations, within the archaeological contexts reveal the fact that only one-two coins may lead the archaeologist into a chronological pitfall, while a group of more than five single coin finds may provide a better chronology of the context(s).At the same time the analysis of coin finds by contexts may reveal certain human behaviour in coin use for daily transactions as well as various monetary policies at certain times.