Levon V. Billon Denier. 14mm 0.51 g Obverse: Crowned facing bust. +ԼԵՒՈՆ [ԹԱԳ] “Levon Ki-” Reverse: Cross pattée; pellets in quarters. +Ա[ՒՈՐ ՀԱ]ՅՈՑ “-ing of Armenians” Levon V was living in Cyprus when he found out his distant cousin Gosdantin IV had died, which left him as the rightful successor to the Cilician Armenian Kingdom.. Levon had a difficult journey ahead of him in reaching his new kingdom. He was blackmailed by the Genoese who occupied Cyprus at the time into paying an exorbitant “tax” to leave the island. He sold off most of his valuables to finance help for his journey eventually mustering about 100 traveling companions plus a few cross-bowmen + archers.) He had to avoid numerous hostile forces along the way, but arrived safely in Sis. where he was joyously received as their new King.. Finally Levon had everything a King could ever want.. A tiny Kingdom, An empty treasury and an imminent invasion.. Not long after his coronation the Mamluks had decided to invade the kingdom (supposedly there was a claimant named Ashot living in Cairo) Levon and there Armenians were unable to put up much of a fight. But they did try their best… supposedly Levon took an iron projectile to the face which broke his jaw and knocked out 3 teeth. Levon was Left with only a few soldiers defending his keep and after receiving a letter of safe conduct from the Mamluks Levon, "though scarcely able to walk, rose from his bed, his wounded head in bandages, and descended from the tower, accompanied by his family and escort. And so, on April 13th, 1375, only ten months after his landing on Armenian soil, Leon V gave up his sovereignty, and with it the last Armenian kingdom passed out of existence.” Levon was taken to Cairo where he spent 7 years... The Kings of Aragon and Castile paid his ransom and in 1382 he was able to depart for Europe.. He spent a considerable time in Spain where the King of Castille named him “the Lord of Madrid” and the best man at his wedding... Even today there is a street and a restaurant named after him in Madrid. He was bestowed various honors wherever he went, becoming “the Chancellor of Rhodes” the Golden Rose” and was given lavish gifts but never received any help with his real goal (reclaiming his Kingdom). He departed Spain for France in 1384 where he spent most of the remainder of his life.. He was able to act as a mediator between England and France, and on two occasions traveled to England to talk with the King Richard II, but in the end his efforts were not successful.. Levon died in France in 1393… You can still go see his tomb today at the Basilique Saint-Denis in Paris with the inscription (translated as) "Here lies the most noble and excellent prince, Leon de Lysigne Fifth, the Latin King of the Kingdom of Armenia, who rendered his soul to God on the 29th day of November, in the Year of Grace, 1393. Pray for him."
It is interesting. Both the coin and the history lesson. Until now, I don't think I've ever heard of King Levon. Thanks.
I have 2 others of Cilician Armenia too. On right: Hetoum I. 1226-1270. AR Tram 20mm 2.9g + Levon I on the right
