Levon I Silver (Cilician Armenia)
Name/Title
Levon I Silver (Cilician Armenia)Description
The Medieval Armenian Silver Tram Coin, minted during King Levon I’s reign (1198-1219 AD) in Cilician Armenia, marks a significant moment in the establishment of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, a refuge for Armenians fleeing Seljuk invasions. Weighing about 2.7 grams, the coin features iconography that blends Armenian heritage with Western influences, reflecting Levon I’s efforts to assert authority and foster trade with Crusader states. The obverse typically shows the king’s effigy or religious symbols, while the reverse includes Armenian inscriptions, highlighting the kingdom’s cultural identity.Category
Coins and Banknotes
Mintage
Date made
1198 - 1219Manufacture Method
StruckCoin Details
Obverse
Description
Levon, king of the Armenians in Armenian script, Levon seated facing on throne decorated with lions, holding globus cruciger and lis-tipped sceptreTranscription
ԼԵԻՈՆ ԹԱԳԱԻՈՐ ՀԱՅՈՑTranslation
Levon King of the ArmeniansReverse
Description
By the will of God in Armenian script, two lions rampant back-to-back, each with heads reverted; patriarchal cross between.Transcription
ԿԱՐՈՂՈՒԹԲՆ ԱՍՏՈԻԾՈ[Յ]Translation
By the will of GodEthnography
Cultural Region
* Untyped Cultural Region
CiliciaCulture/Tribe
Armenian