My 2nd coin i picked up club night.... Crusaders of Antioch.. Bohemond lll ...1163- 1201 AD.. AR Denier. Ob. Helmeted bust left of Knight wearing chainmail with crescent pointing up in left field 5 pointed star in right field. Rev.Cross with crescent top right field pointing left, Amtiocnia (5 pellets on A) 19mm x on thin flan..1.01g. This coin was minted for the Principality of Antioch. A State established during the first Crusade that was at various times, and for most of History a vassal to Constantinople, the Kingdom of Jerusalem or the kingdom of Armenia before it being conquered by the Moslim forces under Baibars, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt. The coin and its distinctive abstract portrait of a Crusader Knight was minted and issued during the reign of Bohemond lll, Price of Antioch from..1165- 1201..AD.. ( info from Cache Historical and World Coins)...
Yeah, one of the first great crimes the Latins committed against the Byzantines. THe Byzantines gave them great help in getting there, and information about city defenses, in expectation that the liberated city would again be Byzantine. HOwever, the crusaders kept it for themselves, and it passed through many different hands. It was this infighting amongst christians that allowed the muslims to retake the entire area. If all of the possessions would have been returned to Byzantine control, history may have turned out much differently.
Very cool looking coin, Eng ... there was a similar looking coin at the last CNG auction (it had an artsy-lion on the reverse), but sadly I'd already blown my budget, so I was unable to make a solid-bid!! ... great coin (congrats)
You have a budget?????? Nice coin John. Very nice and I like to study this period of history. Interesting times.
