Tedo Dundua
Professor in History at Faculty of Humanities, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Abstract
Small silver pieces of about 0.5 gr. show unhappy picture of the Georgian economics in the 15th c., accompanied by gradual political disintegration. They are struck by the Georgian kings and princes as follows: Constantine I (1407-1411), Alexander I (1412-1442), Vakhtang IV (1442-1446), Giorgi VIII (1446-1466), Bagrat VI (1466-1478), Kvarkvare (1451-1498), prince of Samtskhe (Southern Georgia), Constantine II (1478-1505). And they are concentrated into two main hoards: Gori and Mna in Eastern Georgia. Inscriptions are mostly Georgian. Gori hoard reveals also tangas of Shirvan and the Ottoman akhchas, being in circulation in Georgia. And influence of the Ottoman numismatics can be well traced on the coins struck in Georgia. Still, tangas of Shirvan form the most prominent influx into money circulation of Eastern Georgia in the 15th c., strengthened by the Ottoman gold and Venetian ducats. Imitations to the aspers of Trebizond are struck in Western Georgia even now.
