Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Armenia, Cilician Armenia. Levon I (1198/9-1219) BI Denier. Sis mint, struck for use in Antioch, 1198-1219. ✠ LЄO DЄI GRATIA, cross pattée / ✠ RЄX ARMЄИIOR, crowned head facing. AC 281; CCA 9; MAC 33; CCS 133a. 0.94g, 18mm, 9h.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.
This coin embodies one of the most tumultuous periods in medieval history, after the formation of the Crusader states. Minted at Sis but intended for Antioch, it represents the high ambitions of Levon I, first king of Armenia, whose long-established aim was to wrest control of the city away from its Frankish rulers and strengthen his control of the north-eastern Mediterranean coast.
In 1193, Levon imprisoned the Latin king of Antioch, Bohemond III after inviting him to negotiations at the fortress of Baghras. After taking Bohemond's wife and child as political prisoners, and sending them to the Armenian capital of Sis, Levon I secured Bohemond's surrender of Antioch in exchange for his freedom. Whilst the city initially yielded to Levon's troops, resistance soon broke out, led by prominent members of the clergy. Forming a commune, the citizens of Antioch openly recognized Bohemond's eldest son, Raymond, as the rightful regent and called for aid from another of his sons, Bohemond I of Tripoli, and his ally Henry I of Jerusalem. The next spring, these allies arrived in Antioch and forced a settlement from Levon I, which included a marriage between Raymond and Levon's niece Alice. The child of the marriage would inherit the principality of Antioch on the death of Bohemond III.
Meanwhile, Levon I strengthened his own position by allying the Armenian Church with Rome. This secured the Pope's approval for Levon's claim to be recognised as the king of an independent Armenia. However, the conflict over Antioch continued. Alice's bridegroom died not long after their marriage, and Bohemond of Tripoli continued to press his claim after the death of his father. The emir of Aleppo, a close ally, effectively blocked Levon I's attempts to enter the city for several years and forced him to divert troops to defend the borders of Cilicia. Armenian forces were able to briefly seize control for a few days, during an internal revolt in 1208, but were otherwise unsuccessful.
Ultimately, the question of Antioch was resolved because of Bohemond IV's own unpopularity. He was rarely present in the city, which allowed Levon to cultivate support for Alice's child Raymond-Roupen among the disaffected nobility and citizens. Bohemond IV was eventually deposed in 1216, and Raymond-Roupen was installed in his place. However, even this long-awaited victory was relatively short-lived. He abandoned the city in 1219 and fled to Levon's court in Cilicia, where the king refused to forgive him and publicly released his barons from their pledges to Raymond-Roupen – instead naming his daughter Isabella as his heir.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.
This coin embodies one of the most tumultuous periods in medieval history, after the formation of the Crusader states. Minted at Sis but intended for Antioch, it represents the high ambitions of Levon I, first king of Armenia, whose long-established aim was to wrest control of the city away from its Frankish rulers and strengthen his control of the north-eastern Mediterranean coast.
In 1193, Levon imprisoned the Latin king of Antioch, Bohemond III after inviting him to negotiations at the fortress of Baghras. After taking Bohemond's wife and child as political prisoners, and sending them to the Armenian capital of Sis, Levon I secured Bohemond's surrender of Antioch in exchange for his freedom. Whilst the city initially yielded to Levon's troops, resistance soon broke out, led by prominent members of the clergy. Forming a commune, the citizens of Antioch openly recognized Bohemond's eldest son, Raymond, as the rightful regent and called for aid from another of his sons, Bohemond I of Tripoli, and his ally Henry I of Jerusalem. The next spring, these allies arrived in Antioch and forced a settlement from Levon I, which included a marriage between Raymond and Levon's niece Alice. The child of the marriage would inherit the principality of Antioch on the death of Bohemond III.
Meanwhile, Levon I strengthened his own position by allying the Armenian Church with Rome. This secured the Pope's approval for Levon's claim to be recognised as the king of an independent Armenia. However, the conflict over Antioch continued. Alice's bridegroom died not long after their marriage, and Bohemond of Tripoli continued to press his claim after the death of his father. The emir of Aleppo, a close ally, effectively blocked Levon I's attempts to enter the city for several years and forced him to divert troops to defend the borders of Cilicia. Armenian forces were able to briefly seize control for a few days, during an internal revolt in 1208, but were otherwise unsuccessful.
Ultimately, the question of Antioch was resolved because of Bohemond IV's own unpopularity. He was rarely present in the city, which allowed Levon to cultivate support for Alice's child Raymond-Roupen among the disaffected nobility and citizens. Bohemond IV was eventually deposed in 1216, and Raymond-Roupen was installed in his place. However, even this long-awaited victory was relatively short-lived. He abandoned the city in 1219 and fled to Levon's court in Cilicia, where the king refused to forgive him and publicly released his barons from their pledges to Raymond-Roupen – instead naming his daughter Isabella as his heir.