Поволжская археология (Dec 2016)
Archaeological and Numismatic Findings from Dig CLXXXV at Bolgar Fortifi ed Settlement
Abstract
The authors analyze new numismatic finds from Bolgar fortified settlement, dig CLXXXV, which was excavated in 2013. All numismatic findings (240 coins) can be divided into three groups: stray silver coins – 23 pieces dating to the 13th – 14th centuries, a hoard of silver coins – 37 dangs of the 14th century, and copper dinars and pools of the 13th – 14th centuries – 180 pieces. Most of these were coined by the mint in Bolgar (Bolgar al-Makhrusa) – 82 pieces. Other coins represents mints in Saray (Saray al-Makhrusa), Saray al-Dzhadid, Gulistan, the Crimea and Mokhsha. Chronologically, most coins are dated by the middle of the 13th century – 44 copies, and by 1330s –1340s – 91 pieces. Although the structure of the hoard is typical for Bulgar hoards of the 14th century, this one is particularly valuable for the fact that its exact location is known precisely. Numerous copper coins allow undertaking a metrological analysis for each group – the copper dinars of the 13th century and the pools of the 1320s – early 1360s. The youngest dang in the hoard dates to 1362–1363, as the pools of Hyzr Khan do. This made the authors to infer that the monetary circulation in this part of the city stopped in the first half of the 1360s.
