On the Group of Ilkhanid Imitative Copper Coins from Armenia of the turn and beginning of the 13 <sup>th</sup>-14 <sup>th</sup> centuries
The research of Transcaucasian numismatics of the Mongol period is capable of revealing previously unknown aspects of this period’s history. Results of numismatic analysis illustrate the previously known historical events and also can point to events that have been overlooked by contemporary chroniclers. The first group appears to consist of coins discussed in the article. This is a group of copper fals that come from the summer 2014 findings from the slopes of Ara-Ler (Armenia, Aragatsotn region). The coins of this group have Shī‘a shahada on their obverse and an imitative inscription of al-sultān Öljaitü in a characteristic twelve petal rosette on the reverse. This group of coins was compared with two previously known museum specimens. The composition of the findings containing the mentioned coins as well as the location of these findings have also been analyzed. Based on this analysis we draw a conclusion about the local origin of the coins in question. The estimated time of coinage of fals is 718-719 AH / 1318-1319 AD. At that time, Transcaucasia was in the middle of an uprising against Ikhan Abū Sa‘īd, led by Qurumishī, the governor of the vilayat Gurjistān va Abkhāz. The dating explains both the placing of the deceased Ilkhan Öljaitü’s name on imitative coins and the finding with real coins from the Öljaitü’s times. Imitative coins were most likely minted on the territory of the Zak‛areans or Vač‛uteans feudal families, where they were found. The discovery of a group of local imitative copper coins minted in Transcaucasia during the Mongol rule significantly enriches our knowledge of numismatics and the history of this period. The description of these groups is the first step towards a drawing up of comprehensive picture of monetary circulation in Transcaucasia during the Mongol era.