Pogh: History of the Armenian Small Copper Coin

Illustrated Specimen Details: Copper Pogh

Example Specimen: Pogh, 1296-1298 (Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia)

Authority & Design: The obverse features King Smbat I Hetumian (Smpad) on horseback, riding with a mace (a symbol of monarchical power) over his shoulder. The legend reads ՍՄԲԱՏ ՀԱՅՈՑ ԹԱԳԱՒՈՐ (Smbat King of the Armenians). The reverse displays a cross with four doves (symbols of peace) in each quadrant, with the inscription ՇԻՆԵԱԼ Ի ՔԱՂԱՔՆ Ի ՍԻՍ, signifying it was struck in the city of Sis (the capital of the kingdom).

1. ARMENIAN KINGDOM OF CILICIA (1080-1375): 1 pogh = 1/8 tank = 1/4 kardez = 1/40 tram.

The name of the pogh coin is firmly entrenched in the modern Armenian language. In the East Armenian dialect, this term means “money” in the general sense. While its exact etymological origin is debated, it is known that in ancient Armenia, the word referred to wind musical instruments (trumpet, duduk). The transition from musical terminology to currency remains a historical mystery.

History and Context of the Armenian Pogh

The pogh was the smallest fractional unit within the highly sophisticated monetary system of Cilician Armenia. During the medieval period, the kingdom served as a crucial hub for the Silk Road and Mediterranean trade, necessitating a structured currency that could handle both large-scale commerce and local daily transactions.

Unlike the high-purity silver trams used for international trade, the copper pogh was the "market currency" of the common people. Its production reflected the state's sovereignty and its integration into the broader Christian and Mediterranean economic spheres.

The system was based on specific fractional ratios:

• 1 tank = 8 poghs
  → therefore 1 pogh = 1/8 tank

• 1 tram = 40 poghs
  → therefore 1 pogh = 1/40 tram

Strategic Importance of Cilician Coinage

The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (1080-1375) developed an active economy by connecting Crusader states, the Byzantine Empire, and Italian maritime republics with Middle Eastern markets. The pogh was essential for this ecosystem, allowing for precise accounting in a world of diverse weight standards and metal purities.

Coins from the reign of Smbat I (1296-1298) are particularly notable for their iconography. The king is often depicted as a warrior-monarch on horseback, a design that emphasized the military readiness of the kingdom during a period of intense geopolitical pressure from the Mamluks and Mongols.

Numismatic Perspective

For collectors, the pogh offers a fascinating entry point into medieval Armenian history. Due to the nature of copper and the hammered minting process, many surviving specimens feature worn or partial legends, making well-preserved examples highly sought after.

A notable aspect of these coins is the blend of artistic traditions: Armenian calligraphy meets Byzantine and Crusader stylistic influences. Collecting the pogh allows numismatists to trace the rise and eventual fall of Sis as a major minting center before the kingdom was finally overwhelmed in the 14th century.