Medieval Armenian Bronze Pogh - Sis Cilician Armenia 1320-1342 AD - Levon IV

Medieval Armenian Bronze Pogh - Sis Cilician Armenia 1320-1342 AD - Levon IV

• Date: 1320-1342 AD
• Size: 16 mm, 1.21g
• Composition: Bronze
• Internal SKU: 137X1286

HISTORICAL NOTE: The bronze Pogh struck during the reign of Levon IV (1320-1342 AD) in Cilician Armenia reflects the kingdom's persistence in a period of decline and external pressures. Minted in Sis, the capital of the Armenian kingdom, this small denomination coin was designed for everyday use, circulating widely among the local population. The Pogh typically features Christian iconography, such as a cross or religious motifs, on the obverse, highlighting the enduring Christian identity of the Armenian kingdom amidst the threats posed by neighboring Mamluks and internal instability. The reverse often bears inscriptions in Armenian, asserting Levon IV's royal authority and legitimacy during a time when the kingdom faced significant territorial losses and economic strain. Levon IV's reign is marked by efforts to navigate the challenges of diminished resources and shifting alliances, making the coinage of his era a testament to the resilience of Cilician Armenia as it struggled to maintain its sovereignty and cultural heritage in the late medieval period.