I am new to Coin Talk, and I am hoping that someone can help me with attributing a copper coin that I have. I purchased it about 15 years ago in a group of three coins. One was a Crusader follis from Antioch issued by Tanred (CCS type 4). The other was a Byzantine tetarteron issued by Alexius (SB 1931). This coin also looks to be early 12th century from somewhere in the eastern Mediterranean (Byzantine, Crusader, Sicilian?). It is 23 mm, 3.68 g., 12h. Obv: Christ seated facing on a throne with back, wearing nimbus. Rev: Cross pommetée with Є - H (or N) in upper angles. See photo below. Any help in identifying this coin is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I do not believe this is byzantine. If I was to bet, I would say Sicily, but I know way less about those than I know about the later byzantine AE. Maybe @seth77 could have a look.
It does look familiar, but I couldn't say exactly what it is. Unfortunately I'm also low on time and away from my books.
I’m more leaning towards that it is Sicilian . I only have Lunardi , but nothing there . I believe that is none in MEC 14 either . I been searching for a answer for a long time . Here is my example ( very similar) that I have in my collection for many years . 21 mm/ 2.4 g.
I also think Sicily would be the best guess -- the seated nimbate Jesus is similar to the baronial coinage for Roger II (MEC 14) -- followed by some Syrian small-scale issue from around 1100-1120. The cross ancree is similar to Malloy 9-10 (Edessa). But apart from that I cannot point to any reference. Apart from perhaps in a more general sense towards imitations being assigned to Syria (Trebizond or Northern Syria? or An anonymous copper coin re-attributed from Trebizond to Syria).
VD76, that indeed looks to be very similar, if not the same type. Even though unattributed, it is good to see another. Now if we can just figure out what it is!
seth77: thank you for all the leads. I have poured over my copy of MEC 14 looking for a match, but to no avail. I like your references to Trebizond and Northern Syria. The coin in hand feels more Byzantine than Crusader. I will keep hunting.
