| 1198 AD - 1219 AD |
| Tank AE 28 |
SHH 313 |
 |
| Parameter Obverse Reverse Notes Reference |
6.97 g 27.2-28.5 mm 1:00
o'clock VF Bearded leonine head of Levon facing, five dots in crown, within border of dots; (+ Levon King of the Armenians) clockwise around within outer border of dots. Patriarchal cross with two stars in lower field within border of dots; (+ Struck in the City of Sis) clockwise around within outer border of dots. ? Nercesian 300/313; Thomsen 1483/1485 (Levon II 1185-1218 AD) |
Baron Levon II 1187 - 1198 AD (Later King Levon I)
Y. T. Nercesian
Armenian Coins and Their Values
Armenian Numismatic Society, Special Publication no. 8, Los Angeles, 1995
In 1189, the Third
Crusade was organized to liberate Jerusalem, which had been captured by
Saladin on October 2, 1187. On the eve of the Third Crusade Cilician
Armenia was not a majot power, but it had a strategic location and
could be considered one of the key Christian states of the Levant.
Also, Levon received a letter in 1189 from Pope Clement III asking for
military and financial assistance for the Crusaders. Levon perceived a
unique opportunity to obtain a royal crown. He willingly supplied the
Crusaders with provisions, guides, pack animals, and other forms of
aid, in addition to pledging the cooperation of his army. Levon won
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to his cause, and was promised
a crown. But Frederick was drowned while swimming in the waters of
Calycadnus river im 1191. Levon then turned his attention toward
Frederick's son and successor, Henry VI, for the fullfillment of the
promises.