Medieval Armenian Coinage: The Copper Kardez of Cilicia

Illustrated Specimen Details: Copper Kardez

Example Specimen: Kardez, 1226-1270 (Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia)

Authority & Design: This medieval copper kardez was struck during the long and prosperous reign of King Hethum I (1226-1270) of Cilician Armenia. The obverse features a detailed depiction of the King seated upon his royal throne, holding a mace and a Christian cross, surrounded by the classical Armenian legend + ՀԵԹՈՒՄ ԹԱԳԱՒՈՐ ՀԱՅՈՑ (Hethum King of Armenians). The reverse displays a distinct central cross with a small crescent positioned within one of its quadrants, accompanied by the inscription ՇԻՆԵԱԼ Ի ՔԱՂԱՔՆ Ի ՍԻՍ, which denotes that the coin was minted in the capital city of Sis. King Hethum I managed to rule for an impressive 45 years, a period widely recognized as the cultural and economic zenith of the Cilician Armenian state.

1. ARMENIAN KINGDOM OF CILICIA (13th-14th centuries): 1 kardez = 4 pogh = 1/2 tank = 1/10 tram or 1/10 takvorin (depending on the specific monetary period)

The kardez coin served as the primary copper fractional denomination of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia throughout the 13th-14th centuries. Operating within a highly active Crusader-era commercial environment, it facilitated everyday local trade and small marketplace transactions alongside more valuable silver issues.

History and Economic Role in the Levant

The kardez was a vital copper coin minted by the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, an influential medieval state that flourished from the 11th to the 14th centuries on lands situated within modern Turkey. Positioned at a critical geopolitical crossroads, Cilician Armenia maintained robust commercial and diplomatic ties with European Crusader states, the Byzantine Empire, and various regional Islamic powers.

The internal fractional structure of the Cilician copper monetary standard was organized as follows:

• 1 tank = 2 kardez

• 1 kardez = 4 pogh

An Indispensable Small Change Currency

Throughout its circulation history, the kardez was issued by at least six successive Armenian monarchs, including Hethum I, Leo II, Hethum II, Smbat, Constantine II, and Leo III. In the earlier historical periods, the copper kardez functioned principally as an exchange coin for the high-purity silver tram. Following the sweeping monetary adjustments implemented after 1301, the coin transitioned to fulfill a similar supporting role for the newer silver takvorin standard.

Because it was designed for fast-moving local trade, the coin was produced in substantial quantities. Its widespread use ensures that it remains an invaluable source of information for historians studying the complex economic interactions and market dynamics of the medieval Near East.

Iconography and Numismatic Features

The design characteristics of the kardez are highly regularized across different royal administrations. The reverse of every coin features a prominent Christian cross, reinforcing the religious and political identity of the kingdom amidst its regional neighbors. The obverse faces display a wider variety of thematic subjects depending on the reigning monarch, including formal portraits of the seated king, armed horsemen, or heraldic royal lions.

The legends on these coins were inscribed in classical Armenian script, carefully detailing the current ruler's titles alongside the specific mint location. The vast majority of these copper issues were produced in Sis, the historic capital city which served as the administrative and minting heart of the kingdom between 1198-1375. Today, the location of this ancient mint corresponds to the modern city of Kozan in Turkey. For numismatists, the kardez stands as a compelling testament to a unique historical synthesis, beautifully blending traditional Armenian design elements with broader Byzantine and Western European medieval influences.