Ancient Central Asian Copper Pūls: History, Mints

Illustrated Specimen Details: Copper Pūl of Tokhtamysh Khan

Example Specimen: Copper pūl, minted during the years from 1379 to 1396 (Golden Horde)

Authority & Imagery: This coin was struck under the authority of Tokhtamysh Khan, the prominent ruler of the Golden Horde who consolidated the Blue and White Hordes into a unified state. The obverse displays official inscriptions enclosed within a beautifully decorated ornamental square. The reverse highlights a majestic Bars (leopard) walking to the left. Notably, both sides of the coin feature a mysterious symbolic alignment of three dots, the precise historical meaning of which remains an intriguing numismatic puzzle.

1. GOLDEN HORDE (from the 13th to the 15th centuries) — The copper pūl originally held a value equal to 1 forty-eighth part of a silver yarmaq, and following subsequent monetary reforms, it was re-tariffed to equal 1 sixteenth part of a standard silver dang.
2. CENTRAL ASIA (including the Dzungar Khanate, the Khanate of Kokand, and neighboring states from the 17th to the 19th centuries) — The pūl denomination continued its legacy as a regional copper coin.

The historical legacy of the pūl as a coin name extends far beyond its medieval origins. Alongside the well-documented Afghan coin of the 20th century pul, this ancient denomination occupies a vital place in Eurasian numismatic history. Over time, the name crossed borders and transformed in northern regions, directly influencing the development of the early Russian copper pulo coins issued by Tver and Moscow.

History and Monetary Role of the Copper Pūl

The copper pūl stands out as one of the most widely circulated small-change denominations in the medieval Turkic and Mongol worlds. From the 13th to the 15th centuries, a vast network of administrative centers and regional mints throughout the Golden Horde regularly struck these copper pieces to fuel local marketplace economies and daily trade.

A particularly fascinating aspect of these coins is their diverse and rich imagery. Despite the gradual adoption of Islam as a dominant state religion — which traditionally discouraged the representation of living beings — Golden Horde pūls frequently display an astonishing array of animals, birds, mythical creatures, and even horsemen.

Similar copper coins struck across various independent Central Asian states, such as the Dzungar Khanate, the Emirate of Bukhara, the Khanate of Khiva, and the Khanate of Kokand from the 17th to the 19th centuries, are also classified by numismatists as part of this broader pūl tradition. Depending on the specific cataloging system and regional context, these later Central Asian issues are sometimes described under the terms falus or fals.

Linguistic Origin and Debates

The exact etymological roots of the name have long been a subject of scholarly discussion. While older numismatic literature occasionally suggested a distant Roman connection, modern researchers look to Central Asian trade routes for a more accurate lineage. Ethnolinguistic analysis supports the view that the word entered regional vocabulary from Middle Persian roots, which in turn had originally borrowed the concept from the Ancient Greek obolos (the famous obol coin). Today, derivatives of the word "pūl" still function as the literal generic term for money in several modern regional languages.

Economic Position and Attributes

As the lowest tier of the currency system, the copper pūl facilitated minor transactions that silver coins were too valuable to cover. In the monetary framework of the Jochid Ulus, its fractional value was tightly controlled in relation to precious metal standards. It represented a fundamental component of urban market life, ensuring that even the smallest local exchanges could be conducted efficiently. Today, because these coins were heavily utilized by the general public, well-preserved specimens featuring clear dynastic tamgas or crisp animal designs remain highly prized historical documents for collectors.