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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL COINS

EARLY COIN FROM INDIA

India developed some of the world's first coins. (scholars debate exactly which coin was first and when).  Sometime around 600BC in the lower Ganges valley in eastern India a coin called a punchmarked Karshapana was created.  It was made by taking a flat, though often irregularly shaped, piece of silver, cutting it to the proper weight, then applying a series of punches to the front of it. The punches include a wide variety of symbols.  The silver coins typically weigh about 3.6 grams and are about 12 to 17mm. As the coin circulated, bankers or merchants would sometimes apply additional small punches on the back, verifying the weight and fineness of the coin.  Vast quantities of the coins were issued by the Magadha Kingdom (circa 600-321BC) and Mauryan Empire (321-187BC) so they are relatively plentiful and inexpensive today. The punchmarked Karshapana was issued until about the second century BC, however the influence this of ancient coin is still felt today.  The English word, "cash", is derived from the Sanskrit word, kārsha. 

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EARLY ANCIENT SILVER COIN

This is one of the most affordable early ancient silver coins available.  It was struck from about 600BC to 327BC in the area of northern Pakistan and north-eastern Afghanistan.  Some references attribute the coin to the region of Gandhara Janapada, while others attribute it to Taxila, which was the major city in that region. . It is likely the coins were first struck shortly before the region was invaded by Persian emperor Darius the Great in 518BC.  The coins continued to be issued under Persian rule, probably until Alexander the Great conquered the region in 327BC. One side of the slightly concave coin has the six petaled Taxila "flower" design that was used on most coins of the region at that time.  The other side is blank.  The coin is approximately 12 to 14mm in diameter.  The coin is denominated as 1/8 Santamanas. 

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ANCIENT PERSIAN SILVER SIGLOS

The ancient Persian Empire stretched through the Fertile Crescent, covering much of modern-day Iran, Iraq and Turkey.  The Persian silver Siglos was first introduced about 546BC, during the reign of Cyrus the Great.  The silver Siglos continued to be issued during the reigns of Darius and Xerxes.  It was practically the only coin of issued by the Persian Empire until the it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330BC. The coins show the king kneeling holding a bow and carrying a spear or a dagger.   The reverse side has a crude incuse punch mark that was formed when the coin was struck.  It is an important historic coin that was used in much of the ancient world. 

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ANCIENT OLBIA DOLPHIN COIN

Olbia was a Greek city on the Black Sea in what is now Ukraine.  Between the 5th and 3rd century BC it issued these unusual bronze dolphin shaped coins. Dolphins were common in the region and were considered sacred. The crudely cast coins vary in size, from about 18mm to 26mm and lack tails.  This coin was minted without inscriptions. They are one of the most unusual ancient coins available, yet are remarkably affordable.

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BEAUTIFUL LITTLE ANCIENT SILVER COIN OF MYLASA IN CARIA

This beautiful little (approximately 10mm) silver diobol depicts the bust of Hekatomonos on one side and the forepart of a bull on the other.  Hekatomonos was appointed as the first satrap (governor) of Caria by the Persian Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II about 392BC. He was the first non-Persian official to be elevated to the position of satrap. Caria is located in the southwestern portion of what is now Turkey. The coin was struck in his capital city of Mylasa..  Upon his death about 376BC he was succeeded by his son Mausolus.  Mausolus is remembered for his monumental Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and is basis of the word mausoleum.

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SILVER TETRADRACHMS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT 

As a youth, Alexander was taught by Aristotle.  Upon the assassination of his father in 336BC, Alexander became the King of Macedonia at age 20. His army quickly conquered the Greek states and he then set off across Asia. With brilliant military and political tactics he conquered Egypt and the Persian Empire. He continued conquering all in his path.  In 326BC he reached India.  There, his weary army mutinied, refusing to go any further.  Alexander was forced to return.  He died three years later, after a prolonged banquet and drinking binge. Until his reign, Greek coins did not show mortals. But Alexander sought to proclaim himself as a God.  The coins of Alexander portray him as Hercules, dressed in a lion's skin.  The reverse shows Zeus seated. After the death of Alexander in 323BC his top generals fought for control of portions of his empire.  Seleucus I Nicator gained control of a vast territory stretching from Anatolia (now Turkey) to Persia to northwestern India, thus founding the Seleucid Empire.  After battles with Chandragupta of the Mauryan Empire in India they agreed to a peace treaty.  Seleucus gave up some territory.  In exchange Chandragupta gave him 500 war elephants, his daughter in marriage, aphrodisiacs and other gifts. He was assassinated in 281BC during his campaign to take Macedonia and Thrace.  Seleucus struck Tetradrachms in the same style as Alexander's, however with the legend ΣEΛEYKOY (Seleucus) rather than AΛEXANΔΡOY (Alexander) on the reverse.

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ANCIENT SELEUCID SILVER COINS

After the death of Alexander in 323BC his top generals fought for control of his empire.  Seleucus I Nicator gained control of a vast territory stretching from Anatolia (now Turkey) to Persia to northwestern India, thus founding the Seleucid Empire.  After battles with Chandragupta of the Mauryan Empire in India they agreed to a peace treaty.  Seleucus gave up some territory.  In exchange Chandragupta gave him 500 war elephants, his daughter in marriage, aphrodisiacs and other gifts. He was assassinated in 281BC during his campaign to take Macedonia and Thrace.  Seleucus struck Tetradrachms in the same style as Alexander's, however with the legend ΣEΛEYKOY (Seleucus) rather than AΛEXANΔΡOY (Alexander) on the reverse.  Seleucus was succeeded by his son Antiochus I Soter.  Most of Antiochus' reign devoted to wars and putting down revolts.  Antiochus made peace with his father's murder by abandoning claims to Macedonia.  In 275BC he defeated the Galatians in Anatolia by using the his father's war elephants.  In 268BC he executed his eldest son for leading a rebellion.   He unsuccessfully battled the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt for control of Syria. In 262BC he attacked Peragum, was defeated and died soon thereafter.   The Seleucus I Tetradrachm is similar to the coins of Alexander the Great.  It is a thick silver coin, approximately 26mm that depicts Seleucus as Hercules on the obverse and Zeus seated on the reverse.   We have two silver Drachms of Antiochos I.  Both are approximately 15mm and depict the head of Antiochos.  One type has Apollo seated on the reverse.  The other, depicting a horsehead on the reverse, is from Ai Khanoum in northern Afghanistan.  The city is believed to have been founded about 280BC by Antiochos due to its proximity to silver mines in the nearby Hindu Kush mountains.

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INDO-GREEK SILVER DRACHM OF APOLLODOTUS II

The Indo-Greeks descended from Alexander the Great, who conquered northern India in 326BC. They were the eastern most part of Hellenistic culture, ruling the area around Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India. They maintained Greek culture, religion and language, incorporating it with elements of Indian culture and language. Apollodotus II was one of the greatest Indo-Greek kings.  During his reign, from about 80 to 65BC he re-established much of the glory and territory of the Indo-Greek kingdoms.  After his death the Indo-Greek kingdom fragmented and soon disappeared.  This silver drachm of Apollodotus II reflects both the Greek and Indian culture.  The obverse depicts the bust of the king with a Greek legend that translates as "Of Apollodotus the Great, Savior & Father loving King".  The reverse depicts Athena Alkidemos standing and has the legend in Kharoshthi script that translates "Savior King Appolodotus".  He obviously thought well of himself.  The coin is approximately 17mm in diameter. It is an attractive and historic ancient silver coin from the farthest reaches of Greek culture.

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STAR OF BETHLEHEM COIN

Rutgers astronomer and amateur numismatist Michael E. Molnar maintains that the Star of Bethlehem is depicted on this ancient bronze Trichalkon from Antioch.  The reverse depicts Aries the ram, looking back at a star.  He found that Aries was a symbol of Judea at the time, and that ancient astrologers believed that a new king would be born when the moon passed in front of Jupiter.  This happened in the constellation of Aires on April 17, 6 BC.  Roman astrologers described the conditions of that day as fitting the birth of a “divine and immortal” person.  It was such a portentous event that it is commemorated on this coin. The coin was struck about 13AD.  The head of Zeus is on the obverse. 

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COIN OF ROMAN EMPEROR NERO

Though it is probably apocryphal that Nero “fiddled while Rome burned”, we do know he was a lover of the arts and sports; and he was famous for his debaucheries, political murders, and the persecution of Christians. He became Emperor at age 17 in 54AD upon the poisoning death of Emperor Claudius. It is believed that he poisoned his step-brother Brittanicus, had his mother Agrippina murdered, executed his first wife Claudia after divorcing her, and kicked his second wife Poppea to death.  He carried on an affair with Statilia Messalina, and then forced her husband to commit suicide so he could marry her.  He ordered a young man named Sporus to be castrated, so he could marry him as well.  He is rumored to have Christians dipped in oil and set on fire to provide light in his garden at night. Many others, including Saint Peter, were crucified.  As his reign progressed, the treasury became depleted due to his excessive spending on palaces and public buildings. Executions increased and Nero devoted more and more of his time to sports, music festivals and orgies.  The Senate and the leader of the Praetorian Guard turned eventually against him and his excesses.  Hearing that the Senate condemned him to be beaten to death, he committed suicide in 68AD.  Nero is pictured on this debased silver tetradrachm struck in Alexandria, Egypt. The reverse design will vary.  At the time Egypt was under Roman control. The coin is approximately 24mm in diameter.  It is an important artifact of one of Rome’s most infamous emperors.

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ROMAN EMPEROR CLAUDIUS II GOTHICUS AND ST. VALENTINE

Claudius II Gothicus was proclaimed Emperor of Rome by his troops after the assassination of Emperor Gallienus in 268AD.  He was probably involved in the assassination.  His entire reign was involved in military exploits.  He imposed crushing defeats on the Alemanni (Germanic tribes) and the Goths, and thus was awarded the surname Gothicus (conqueror of the Goths).  Needing troops for his military activities he decreed that young men remain unmarried, hoping that without the frivolous distractions of courtship, they would become soldiers.  Defying the Emperor’s orders. St. Valentine performed secret marriages in the underground Christian community.  He was soon discovered and arrested.  According to tradition he was beheaded on February 14, which is now celebrated as Valentine's Day.  Claudius died of plague in 270AD bringing an end to his short but eventful reign.  This bronze Antoninianus (2 Denarii) of Claudius II Gothicus depicts the emperor wearing a radiate crown.  The reverse features Roman deities.

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IDENTIFIED ANCIENT ROMAN COINS

Historic ancient Roman bronze coins identified by emperor. Most date from abourt 260 to 400AD and most grade VG to Fine.

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UNIDENTIFIED ANCIENT COINS

A good mix of low-grade ancient coins, many Roman plus some Greek, Byzantine, Islamic and who knows what else.  Should provide hours of fun and frustration. 

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KUSHAN COIN OF THE "UNKNOWN KING"

The Kushan Empire ruled the area from northern India through Afghanistan into Central Asia in the first and second centuries AD.  It grew wealthy controlling trade centers on the Silk Road and on the Indus River and had diplomatic relations with both Rome and China.  Until recently the actual name of its second emperor was unknown.  He was known only by the title on his coins "Soter Megas", which translates as “Great Savior”.  He thought of himself as being so great, he did need to use his actual name. With the discovery of a large stone tablet listing the names of the Kushan rulers it is now known his name was Vima Takto who ruled from about 80 to 105AD.  His bronze tetradrachm features a Greek style diademed bust of the king on one side, and the king on horseback on the other.  It is an attractive, well-struck ancient coin.

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ANCIENT KUSHANO-SASANIAN COPPER COIN 

After the split of the Kushan Empire around 230AD, the eastern portion became a vassal state of the Sasanian Empire is known as the Kushano-Sassanians.  It controlled parts of what are now Afghanistan and Pakistan. It remained until about 350AD, when the area was conquered by the White Huns (Hephthalites).  These small, crude copper coins, sometimes called a Drachm or a unit, were minted between about 241 and 350AD. They are some of the last coins of the Kushano-Sasanians. They are modeled after the Sasanian silver Drachm, however are smaller, much cruder and made of copper.  One side features the bust of the king, the other features a Zoroastrian fire altar. 

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ANCIENT SASANIAN SILVER DRACHM OF PEROZ

Peroz ruled the vast Sasanian Empire, which stretched from India to Turkey, between 457 and 484AD.  The name Peroz, means “The Victor”, though throughout much of his reign he was hardly victorious.  The early years of his reign was spent fighting with his brother over control of the Empire, whom he eventually defeated.  The country suffered from seven years of drought and famine starting in 464.  Some sources state that mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers both dried up.  Wells dried up, crops failed and thousands died.  No sooner than the country recovered from the famine, than Peroz attacked the Hephthalite (White) Huns.  He suffered a crushing defeat, was captured, and forced to surrender his son as a hostage until a large ransom was paid.   In 481AD he was defeated by the Kushans.   The province of Armenia successfully revolted and was lost to the Empire.   He then again attacked the Huns, and was again defeated.  Peroz, along with much of his army, was slaughtered.   This silver Drachm of Peroz pictures the emperor wearing a winged helmet on one side.  The other side depicts two priests in front at a fire alter, an allusion to the official state Zoroastrian religion.

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HIGH GRADE ABBASID PROVINCIAL SILVER 1/2 DIRHAM OF TABARISTAN

Tabaristan is a region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in what is now Iran.  It was one of the last parts of Persia to fall to the Muslim conquest due to natural barriers including high mountains, numerous rivers, swamps and dense forests as well resistive population.  Even after it fell to the Abbasid Caliphate it was virtually independent and had its own distinctive, non-Muslim style coinage until about 793AD. The coins were silver 1/2 Dirhams based on the Sassanian Dirham.  The obverse featured a crowned Sassanian style bust.  The reverse features a Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by two attendants.  The coins are about 23mm in diameter, are well struck, and have little or no wear.  It is an unusual transitional coin struck by the Muslim Abbasids but retaining the design of the earlier Zoroastrian Sassanian coinage.

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VIKING TRADE COIN  

The Vikings struck few of their own coins.  Many of the coins found in Scandanavian and Russian Viking settlements came from the Samanid Empire, which was located along the southern Caspian Sea.  Vikings sailed down the Volga River to the Caspian Sea where they traded furs, slaves, honey and other commodities for Samanid silver coins.   These Samanid silver dirhams date from about the 10th century, are approximately 27mm and have Arabic legends on both sides. The coins show minimal wear, but are not well struck so tend to have flat areas. 

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RARE GHENGHIZ KHAN SIEGE COIN

Ghenghiz Khan assumed command of his Mongolian tribe at age 13. By military tactics and terror his armies soon conquered much of China, Persia, India and Russia.  This bronze Jital was struck in Kuruzwan, a city in Central Asia, during June and July of 1221AD while the city was under siege by Ghenghiz Khan.   The city of Kuruzwan fell to the Mongols after about two months, the remaining inhabitants were slaughtered and the city destroyed. As might be expected under such severe circumstances, the coins are crudely struck, with many being partially off-center or unevenly struck. This is one of the few identifiable "siege" coins of the Islamic world and is a scarce and interesting reminder of this violent period in history.  

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SILVER COINS OF THE GOLDEN HORDE

The Golden Horde were the successors of Genghis Khan that ruled much of Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe from the mid-13th century until the early 15th century.  Following the Black Death in 1346 and internal fighting the horde declined and disintegrated.  Though the Horde may have been golden, these coins are crudely made and undated. These silver Dirhams of the Golden Horde were minted between about 1252 and 1406.

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THE GIRAY KHANS OF CRIMEA

The Giray Khans ruled Crimea and adjacent regions from 1427 until 1783. The Giray's broke away from the Golden Horde and claimed the right to rule the region as decendents of Ghenghis Khan. Their economy was largely based on slave trading.  In a process known as harvesting the steppe, raiding parties would go out, capture and enslave Russian, Ukranian and Polish Christian peasants.  Most of the slaves would then be sold in the Ottoman Empire.  The Khan was paid 10% to 20% of the value of each slave sold.  In 1783 Russia annexed the khanate.  This was in violation of a treaty signed in 1774 in which Russia guaranteed non-interference in the affairs of the khanate.  These billon akces of the Giray Khans are crude and poorly struck.

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THE DISASTROUS REIGN OF WANG MANG

Wang Mang arranged to have himself appointed regent for the young Han Emperor in 7AD. Two years later he murdered the boy, usurped the throne and founded the short-lived Xin Dynasty.  He attempted major reforms of China's economy including the abolition of slavery, introduction of an income tax, redistribution of the land, institution of price controls, and confiscation of gold.  He demonetized existing coins and instituted new ones based on an unbacked fiat coinage. Despite the execution and exile of thousands, the reforms were not accepted. The economy collapsed; there were widespread general strikes and massive starvation. In 23AD Wang was slain, his "reforms" were abolished and the Han dynasty restored.  This Da Quan Wu Shi (Ta Ch'ien Wu Shih) coin was introduced in 7AD as part of his monetary reforms.  Though only slightly heavier than the existing Wu Zhu (Wu Ch'u) that had been in use for 200 years, it was worth 50 Wu Zhu. As might be expected the merchants did not take too kindly to this new coin.  In 14AD the Ta Chi'en Wu Shih coin was discontinued and its value reduced from 50 Cash to 1 Cash. 

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RARE COIN FROM CHINA'S SHORT LIVED WESTERN WEI DYNASTY

The Western Wei Dynasty was one of many short-lived dynasties that controlled portions of China during a period of civil war and political chaos that followed the collapse of the Eastern Han Dynasty in 220AD. It lasted only from 535 to 557AD and controlled a portion of north-western China. The dynasty issued a distinctive style of Wu Zhu (Wu Chu) coin.  For many years this coin was attributed to the subsequent Sui Dynasty (581-618AD) until a hoard of the coins was discovered in the tomb of Emperor Wen, the first emperor Western Wei. Dynasty, who died in 550AD.

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FAMOUS K'AI YUAN COIN OF THE TANG DYNASTY 

The K'ai Yuan coin was introduced by Chinese Emperor Kao Tsu, who founded the Tang Dyansty in 618AD.  The coins replaced the previously used Wu-Chu and other coins.  The high quality of the coins and excellent calligraphy set a standard for Chinese coins for the next 1000 years!   The legend on the coin, K'ai Yuan Tung Pao translates as "precious currency of the K'ai Yuan era".   The Tang Dynasty was a brilliant period in Chinese history.  It was an era of great prosperity and artistry.   The K'ai Yuan coin continued to be issued for the next 300 years, until the collapse of the Dynasty in 907AD.   During much of the dynasty the coin was the only denomination struck.  Because of the relatively low value of the coin and the high level of commerce a LOT of the coins were issued during that period. (Think of doing all your transactions with only pennies!)   As a result the coin, though over 1000 years old, is still plentiful and inexpensive.

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MEDIEVAL SILVER COINS OF THE HABBARID AMIRS OF SINDH 

Sindh (Sind) is located in what is now the south-eastern portion of Pakistan.  The Habbaris were Arab traders and merchants that settled in Sindh in pre-Islamic times.  Despite living in India for hundreds of years and marrying locals, they maintained their Arab identity, language and customs.  By the mid 9th century AD they were able to assert control over Sindh, paying only nominal allegiance to the Abbasid Caliph. The coinage of the Habbarids of Sind (also known as the Amirs of Sindh) consisted of  small (10 to 11mm) silver Dammas (Dhammas) that feature Arabic inscriptions on both sides.  In 1026 Ghaznavid Sultan Mahmud conquered Sindh.  We are pleased to offer a silver Dammas of the Habbarid sultans of Sindh issued b y Ali, who ruled from about 973 to 987AD

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FORMER SLAVE FOUNDS GHAZNAVID DYNASTY

At its peak the Ghaznavids controlled a vast central Asian empire that included Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India as well as parts of Iran and Turkmenistan.  The founder of the dynasty was Sabuktekin (Sabuktigin).  In his youth he was captured in a tribal war and sold as a slave.  He was eventually purchased by Alptigin, the governor of Ghazna, who so recognized his potential.  He later married the Alptgin's daughter.   In 977 he became governor of Ghazna, which became a semi-independent kingdom within the Samanid Empire.  He expanded his kingdom, conquering much of which is now Afghanistan.  He died in 997 after becoming sick on a military campaign.  His son Mahmud, declared full independence and further expanded the territory.  This silver dirham of Sabuktigin was struck at Farwan in Afghanistan.  One side cites the Shada (There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger).  The other side acknowledges his Samanid overlord and the Abbasid Caliph.  The silver coin is approximately 17mm.

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THE FAMOUS BULL & HORSEMAN JITAL

The Bull and Horseman Jital was introduced by the Hindu Kings in Kabul and Ohind (now Afghanistan and Pakistan) in the 9th century.  One side featured a humped bull.  The other side a man on a horse holding a lance.  The coins became the standard for much of Afghanistan and northern India.  It continued to be struck for hundreds of years by neighboring and successive kingdoms. It gradually become cruder and more debased as each generation would copy the design from coins found in circulation.  These Bull and Horseman Jitals date from around the 10th to 11th century.  They are made of debased silver and feature crude line drawings of the bull and horseman.  I do not have the time or patience to do an exact attribution so am letting them go cheap.

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BRASS TANKA OF OF THE MAD SULTAN OF DELHI

Muhammad bin Tughluq, the Sultan of Delhi ruled much of India from 1325 to 1351AD.  He was a scholar, calligrapher and an innovative monarch. Because he often did not consider the consequences of his innovations, he became known as "The Mad Sultan". Vast amounts of his treasury were spent trying to expand and consolidate his realm.  This encouraged numerous revolts from those that did not want to be subjugated.   He forcibly moved his entire capital and all its inhabitants from Delhi to the Deccan of central India.   Unfortunately, there was insufficient water to support the population.  After great suffering and loss of life he returned the capital to Delhi two years later.  About 1330AD he tried to replace the silver Tanka with this brass Tanka, in an effort to boost his treasury.   The brass Tanka has beautiful calligraphy on both sides, with legends to encourage its citizens to accept the debased currency. His unhappy citizens, required to accept this token coinage, soon started to counterfeit them in vast numbers.  Foreign traders would not accept the brass Tankas.  In 1333 he was forced to return to the silver Tanka, redeeming both real and fake brass Tankas at a great cost to his treasury.  It is reported that a “mountain” of these brass Tankas remained lying outside the sultanate’s treasuries for over a century. The coins grade Fine to Very Fine and have a light green patina.

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OLD COPPER COIN OF MUSLIM KASHMIR 

This copper Kaserah (also called a Punchashi or Fals). was struck by Muslim Sultan Fath Shah of Kashmir.  Between about 1486 to 1517 he gained and lost the throne of Kashmir three times through seemingly endless battles and palace intrigues. He paid his mercenaries by allowing them to plunder his capital.    He died in 1520.

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DECLINE OF A MOORISH DYNASTY

This 11mm silver Qirat was struck for Ali ibn Yusuf who ruled the Almoravid kingdom from 1106-1142.  The Almoravids were a Berber Muslim dynasty that ruled Morocco and southern Spain.  Early in his reign Ali had military gaining territory in Spain.  He eventually found his forces overextended across Spain and Africa with insufficient revenue to support the government and military.  The imposition of additional taxes cost him much needed local support.  With the growing strength of the Christian kingdoms in Spain, the Almohads in the Maghreb, and the death of skilled commanders, he began losing significant territory.  In 1138 Almoravids were defeated by Alfonso VII of Leon and Castile.  In 1139 Alfonso I of Portugal won independence for the Kingdom of Portugal in the Battle of Ourique.  After Ali's death in 1142 the dynasty continued its decline and completely collapsed in 1147.

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CRUSADER COIN OF BOHEMOND THE CHILD

Bohemond III of the Crusader Principality of Antioch, also known as Bohemond the Child and Bohemond the Stammerer, ascended to the throne in 1163.  He then exiled his mother who had served as his regent since he was age one. .In 1180 he deserted his wife in favor of Sibyl, who may have been a spy for Saladin  This led to an escalating stuggle with the Church. Bohemond was excommunicated. In retaliation he confiscated the church's property, which led to an Antioch placed under interdict, which then led to armed conflicts.  The conflict was partially solved through mediation and the leaders of the opposition fled to Cilician Armenia.  In 1185 he invited the king Roupen III of Cilician Armenia to a banquet but imprisoned him instead.  He then invaded Cilician Armenia.  A peace treaty was signed which released the Roupen in return for a large ransom, Roupon acknowledging Bohemond's suzerainty and giving Bohemond territory.  Upon his release Roupon promptly recaptured the territory. In 1194 Cilician Armenian King Levon I (Leo)  invited Bohemond to negotiate over a castle Leo had captured, but instead took Bohemond prisoner. Bohemond was released after giving up claims on Armenia.  Bohemond was involved in the disputes over the dynastic succession of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, which led to Saladin's capture of Jerusalem in 1187. In 1188 Saladin captured much of northern Syria, and forced surrender of fortresses of the Knights Templar.  Bohemond pleaded for a truce, which Saladin granted, but left him only with his capital and its port.  The Third Crusade was called in 1189 in an attempt to recapture Jerusalem.  During the Crusade Bohemond twice met with Richard the Lionheart, but did not provide any military assistance to the Crusaders.  Upon Bohemond's death in 1201, a series of wars broke out among his successors over control of his territory. This was not resolved until 1219.  The obverse of this silver Denier of Antioch a crude portrait of Bohemond III wearing a helmet and chain mail.  A crescent moon is to the left and a star to the right. The reverse features a cross and a crescent.   It is an historic coin from what was an important Crusader kingdom.

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FIRST SILVER COIN OF MEDIEVAL ARMENIA

About 1198 Levon I (also called Leo II, Leon II and Levon the Magnificant) was crowned as the first king of Cilcian Armenia.  He had ruled the territory as Lord of Armenia since 1187, after his brother was captured by Bohemond III of Antioch and retired to a monastery. As king he had the privilege of issuing the first Armenian coins since ancient times.  He established a powerful Christian kingdom and was a strong supporter of the Third Crusade. He had numerous intrigues and conflicts with Bohemond III of Antioch, at one point taking him and his family prisoner after inviting them to castle. He was later involved in the War of the Antiochene Succession after Bohemond's death.  He joined Richard the Lion Heart in the conquest of Cyprus and was actively involved in the numerous political plots and intrigues of the Crusader kingdoms and neighboring kingdoms.  These crude silver Trams are approximately 22mm in diameter.  One side pictures King Levon seated upon his throne.  The reverse shows a lion and leopard with a cross.  It is an historic Armenian coin with a close connection to the Crusades. 

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CHRIST FEATURED ON SILVER GROSH OF THE LAST MEDIEVAL KING OF BULGARIA

Ivan Sratsimir was the last king of the medieval Bulgarian Kingdom.  He reigned from the city of Vidin from 1356, until he was captured and killed by the Ottoman Turks in 1396.   One side of this 16mm silver Grosch depicts the bust of Christ, blessing with his right hand and holding the Gospel in his left.  To his right and left is the Christogram "IC – XC".  The other side depicts the king seated on his throne holding a scepter in his right hand.  The coin shows little if any wear, but is rather crudely struck. 

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MEDIEVAL VENETIAN SILVER COIN DEPICTS CHRIST & ST. MARK

This silver Grosso was issued for Antonio Venier who was Doge of the Venetian Republic from 1382 until his death in 1400.  Under his rule Venice acquired numerous Mediterranean islands, including Corfu and most of Cyclades and Dodecanese. He became renowned for his sense of justice after allowing his own son to die in prison for his crimes.  One side of the coin depicts Jesus Christ seated upon a throne.  The other side shows St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice, handing the doge a banner. 

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FRIEDRICH THE IRONTOOTH OF BRANDENBURG

This silver Bracteate Hohlpfennig was issued by Friedrich II (Frederick II) who was the Prince-Elector of the Margravate of Brandenburg from 1440 to 1470. It is believed that he was nicknamed "The Irontooth" or "The Iron" due to his great strength and power.  Friedrich strengthened Brandenburg forming the basis of what was to become Prussia and the German Empire.  The rights of the towns and nobility were curtailed and he regained Neumark (East Brandenburg) from the Teutonic Knights.  The citizens of Berlin revolted when he attempted to build a palace on Colin island in the Spree river.  Friedrich prevailed, built the castle that became the Stadtschloss (Berlin Palace), and the rights of the city were greatly curtailed. The Stadtschloss was torn down by East Germany in the 1950's and is now being rebuilt.  The silver Bracteate Hohlpfennig is an extremely thin and single sided coin wtih a raised rim.  The design is embossed from the reverse.  This coin is approximately 16mm in diameter and features an eagle with outstretched wings.  Because the coins are so thin and fragile, few survive today.

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MEDIEVAL CITY COINS OF THE MARGARVIATE OF BRANDENBURG

These medieval city Hohlpfennigs were issued during the reign of Friedrich II Irontooth, who was Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg from 1440 to 1470.  A Hohlpfennig is a thin silver coin, about 16mm in diameter with a raised rim. The coin design is embossed on one side and incuse on the other. They were widely used in Northern Germany in the late Middle Ages.  The coins depict the arms of the city in which they were struck. The coin from Stendal depicts half an eagle on the left and four diamonds on the right.  Stendal is located about 78 miles (125km) west of Berlin. It the joined Hanseatic League in 1358 and purchased the privilege of minting from the Brandenburg margraves in 1369.  In 1456 Friedrich II founded a convent for Augustinian nuns in the city, which today is a museum.  The Hohlpfennig from Frankfurt an der Oder features a plumed knight's helmet. Frankfurt (Oder) is located about 50 miles (80km.) east of Berlin on the Oder river on what is now the German-Polish border.  It was founded as a Polish town.  In 1249 it became part of the Margraviate of Brandenburg,  The knight's helmet design makes this one of the more interesting Hohlpfennigs.

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SILVER COIN OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

The Ottoman Empire was a vast, rich, powerful empire that at its peak spanned three continents, including much of southern Europe, western Asia and north Africa. It was founded at the end of the 13th century in what is now Turkey, and lasted until 1922. Its early coinage consisted primarily of small, poorly struck silver coins.  We are pleased to offer some of the coins of some of the Ottoman's most important early Sultans. Because the coins were produced in large quantities and have not been widely collected, they are still quite reasonably priced. 
 and the Karamanids.  In 1450 he led his army into Albania but fell ill and died. This silver Akce of Murad is dated AH825 (1421 AD). It was minted at Serez, which is now Serres in Macedonia. The coin is about 11 to 14mm in diameter.  
Suleiman the Magnificent (Suleyman I) ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566.  During his long reign he greatly expanded his empire, conquering much of the Middle East, North Africa, most of Hungary and laid siege to Vienna twice.  He instituted major reforms in education, taxation and criminal law.  He was an accomplished poet, goldsmith and patron of the arts.    This silver Medini (3 Akces) of Suleiman was struck at the Amid mint, in what is now Diyabakir in Turkey. Diyabakir, located on the Tigris River is considered the "un-proclaimed capital of so-called Turkish Kurdistan".  The silver coin is approximately 13mm in diameter and is dated AH926 (1520AD).  It is an historic coin of an historic monarch.

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL COIN SPECIAL  

A selection of four different identified ancient and medieval coins, including at least one silver coin.   This has been one of my best sellers for almost 50 years.   Each coin is identified in its own envelope.  Coins grade About Good to Very Fine.  Multiple lots will most likely contain the same coins.

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ALSO SEE:

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL COINS OF AFGHANISTAN

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL COINS OF INDIA and  PAKISTAN

MEDIEVAL COINS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL CHINESE COINS

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All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same, however it will be as described.

Please add postage.  California residents include 8.75% sales tax.  3-week return privileges.
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Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365
USA

Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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