Mihran Bey Duzian

Mihran Bey Duzian was a prominent Armenian figure and director of the Ottoman mint, whose contributions to Armenian numismatics are particularly notable for his role in preserving a significant hoard of Cilician Armenian coins. In 1870, during the construction of the Izmir–Ankara railroad, a hoard of 500 Cilician Armenian silver coins was discovered, sealed within a clay vessel. While 50 coins were sent to the Ottoman Museum, the remaining pieces faced the threat of being melted down and reused.

Recognizing the historical importance of the hoard, Mihran Bey Duzian intervened decisively. He purchased the coins at their silver value to prevent their destruction and delivered them to Fr. Ghevond (Clement) Sibilian, a leading numismatist of the time, for study. This intervention not only preserved the coins but also enabled their classification into five different styles and 14 variations.