Alexey Markov (1858-1920) and Roman Vasmer (1888-1938) were wellknown Russian numismatists who had key roles in the numismatic traditions of Russia, particularly in the Hermitage school’s Oriental numismatics heritage. They left an important legacy for all those who are interested in studying Oriental numismatics. These Russian numismatists were also interested in coins struck in Armenia in the early medieval period.

Alexey Markov described several Umayyad and Abbasid coins struck in the mints of the Arab Caliphate’s Arminiya administrative province. Roman Vasmer studied monetary data and clarified the historical dates of Arab rulers who ruled in Armenia during the period of the Abbasid Caliphate starting from al-Saffah (AH 132) to the coronation of the Bagratid King Ashot I. He based his study on numismatic evidence as well as Arab and Armenian historiography.

These scholars remain among the most renowned and demanded numismatists of the Hermitage up to present times, and it is impossible to neglect their works while reflecting on the history of the given period.