FROM THE HISTORY OF ARMENIAN COINS. CROSS AS SYMBOL OF CHRISTIANITY IN KINGDOM OF CILICIA
After the Kingdom of Cilicia was conquered by Mamluks, the Armenian
coinage stopped for a long period of time.
The Kingdom of Cilician Armenia was established on the northeast coast
of the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the 11th century. Founded as
a princedom, it had its origins in the principality founded by the
Rubenid dynasty, an alleged offshoot of the larger Bagratid family,
which at various times had held the thrones of Armenia and Georgia.
Their capital was at originally Tarsus, and later Sis. Cilicia was
a strong ally of the European Crusaders, and saw itself as a bastion
of Christendom in the East. In 1198, with the crowning of Levon the
Magnificent of the Rubenid dynasty, Cilician Armenia became a Kingdom.
October 16, 2013
PanARMENIAN.Net – Some coins of the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia minted
under the rule of Ruben, Toros and Levon princes have been preserved.
Description of coins
The princes did not have their own images on the coins, most of
which featured a cross, the symbol of Christianity. Various images,
including fortresses and military symbols were depicted on the reverse.
Copper and silver coins were issued in big amounts, with rare
editions of billon (silver and copper alloy) coins. Silver coins were
high-standard and of different value: double dram, dram and half-dram.
After the rule of King Levon II (1271-1289), low-grade coins called
takvorins were minted, due to economic and political problems. Seljuk
and Mamluk coins were also in circulation.
Description of coins
As a rule, the obverse features the image of the king either standing
or sitting on the throne or bending his knees. The king held scepter,
lily, sward and other royal symbols. The reverse shows lions and
crosses.
Obverse and reverse of King Levon I silver dram
Unique two-language coins of King Het’um I are also known.
Description of coins
The obverse shows the king on a horse, with the name of the king
written in Armenian. The reverse features an Arabic inscription with
the names of Seljuk sultans Kayqubad I and Kaykhusraw II. The coins
are dated to 1200-1400 AD.
The silver coins minted under the rule of King Het’um are of great
interest. The coin features the image of King Het’um and Queen Zabel,
the daughter of first Cilician King Levon I. This is the only type
of coin with an image of a queen, which was minted for a long time
after her death.
King Hethum I silver dram obverse
Copper coins were of different sizes and value. The biggest were
called Dangs and were minted by Levon I and Het’um I only.
Middle-sized copper coins called Kartez were issued under the rule of
Levon II and the kings who followed him. The last Cilician Lusignan
dynasty, which fell in 1375, minted the smallest copper coins called
Pogs.
Reverses of Kings Levon I, Hethum I copper dangs
High-quality silver coins minted under the rule of Levon I, Het’um
I and Levon II were called Drams. The low-grade silver coins issued
late were called Tagvorins.
There were also some editions of billon coins with Latin inscriptions,
including billon coins King Levon I ordered to mint after conquering
Cyprus.
Besides, there were Drams issued for coronation of King Levon I and
King Oshin, as well as gold coins – Dahekans – which were probably
minted in a very limited number and used as gifts.
The Cilician coins are peculiar due to the inscriptions in the Armenian
language and the image of the cross. Most of the coins were minted in
Sis, the capital of the Cilician Kingdom, with some made in Tarson
and Ayas. It’s worth noting that the coins resemble European ones
and can be easily taken for Venetian silver Matapans. The Cilician
coins also have some resemblance with Cypriot ones due to ties of
relationship between the rulers.
After the Kingdom of Cilicia was conquered by Mamluks, the Armenian
coinage stopped for a long period of time.
The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan,
the numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.
Viktoria Araratyan / PanARMENIAN.Net, Varo Rafayelyan / PanARMENIAN
Photo
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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