I've always wanted one of these crusader types and was happy to finally score one. It came in an old paper envelope with info as Bohemond IV. So I will assume that is who it is. Bohemond IV (1201-1216 A.D.) BI Denier CRUSADERS, Antioch. O: +B(•)AHVHDVS, helmeted and mailed bust left; crescent before, star behind. R: +A NTI(•)CIIIA, cross pattée; crescent in second quarter. 19mm .98g Cf. Metcalf, Crusades, Class J or K1, 438; CCS 78a.
I’m still looking for one of these. I bought one for a nice price that I plan to resell, but it was not quite one that called to me. I do have one of his predecessor though... Crusader Principality of Antioch Bohemond III, r. 1149-1201 (1149-1163) AR Denier, Class B, 16.53mm x 1 gram Obv.: +BOANVNDVS, bare head right Rev.: +ANTIOCHIA, cross in circle
I wonder why the original collector thought it was Bohemond IV and not Bohemond III, which it most likely is.
Any way to tell either apart? I have looked at other examples but it doesn't seem to help, even acsearch has many listed as III or IV.
Usually it's the shape of the lettering, but in this case the trefoil on the reverse legend is the best clue (+ ANTI ♣ OCHIA). This one is probably Malloy 69 or 70, cca. 1163-1187.
And here is a denier minted for Bohemond IV: This is Malloy 78a which your coin has been ided as. Notice for instance the broken B and the broken O's, the dotted Z-looking S and the chainmail formed of downward-pointing crescents. This irregular series was minted for Bohemond IV in his first reign, after dealing with the claims of Levon of Armenia and Raymond Roupen and the revolt in Tripoli of 1207. The mint at Antioch seems to have been halted after 1187 and the emission of these new deniers might have started around 1208.
That's a very attractive and interesting coin @Mat. I've seen them and have been wanting to get one but have not yet. I really like the helmet with the face guard. It really has that Crusades look to it.
Mine came labelled as Bohemond III class B but I know nothing of the series. What distinguishes 'classes'?
It's a grouping of variations in the letter designs corresponding to the different rulers who minted this type from 1163 to perhaps 1250. Here is a plan of this classification from Malloy et al. Coins of the Crusader States:
