Once again, on the Value of Georgian and Caucasian Coins of Irregular Stamping andRusudan’s Monetary Reform

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to put forward new arguments in order to revise the innovative opinions expressed in recent literature regarding the nature of irregularly struck Georgian (and regional) coins and Queen Rusudan’s monetary reform. The analysis proves the correctness of Yevgeny Pakhomov’s opinion: payment by irregularly struck copper coins was made based on their weight. It is unlikely that right after of her enthronement Rusudan already considered the monetary reform (prohibition of irregularly struck coins and their substitution exclusively by regular ones). In our opinion, the reform was caused by Jalal-Ad-Din’s raids and his emission of irregular copper coins. The metrological “irregularity” of Rusudan’s regularly struck coins must be connected with the urgent necessity of mass and quick emission of coins in Kutaisi.