





Armenian Silver Tram of Levon I (about 800-825 years ago)
This is a silver coin from medieval Armenia during the reign of King Levon I, representing the height of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom when it became a significant political entity between the Byzantine and Islamic worlds.
Coin Description:
Front side (Obverse): Depicts King Levon I enthroned, showing him as a powerful monarch
Back side (Reverse): Features two lions and a cross, symbolizing royal power and Christian faith
Technical Details:
Silver composition (AR)
Tram denomination (standard Armenian medieval currency)
Certified by NGC with grade AU (About Uncirculated)
Minted during 1198-1219 CE
Historical Significance: This coin was issued during the reign of Levon I (also known as Leo I), who transformed the Armenian principality of Cilicia (in modern southern Turkey) into a proper kingdom. Levon received his crown from both the Holy Roman Emperor and the Byzantine Emperor, establishing Armenia as a recognized Christian kingdom during the Crusader era. His coronation in 1198 marked the beginning of a new Armenian royal dynasty in Cilicia after the fall of the earlier Armenian kingdoms to Turkish and Byzantine forces. These coins represent Armenia's position as an important trade hub between East and West, as well as its status as one of the few independent Christian states in a region increasingly dominated by Islamic powers. The double lion motif on the reverse was a symbol of royal authority adopted from Byzantine tradition, while the cross emphasized Armenia's status as one of the world's first Christian nations.
This is a silver coin from medieval Armenia during the reign of King Levon I, representing the height of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom when it became a significant political entity between the Byzantine and Islamic worlds.
Coin Description:
Front side (Obverse): Depicts King Levon I enthroned, showing him as a powerful monarch
Back side (Reverse): Features two lions and a cross, symbolizing royal power and Christian faith
Technical Details:
Silver composition (AR)
Tram denomination (standard Armenian medieval currency)
Certified by NGC with grade AU (About Uncirculated)
Minted during 1198-1219 CE
Historical Significance: This coin was issued during the reign of Levon I (also known as Leo I), who transformed the Armenian principality of Cilicia (in modern southern Turkey) into a proper kingdom. Levon received his crown from both the Holy Roman Emperor and the Byzantine Emperor, establishing Armenia as a recognized Christian kingdom during the Crusader era. His coronation in 1198 marked the beginning of a new Armenian royal dynasty in Cilicia after the fall of the earlier Armenian kingdoms to Turkish and Byzantine forces. These coins represent Armenia's position as an important trade hub between East and West, as well as its status as one of the few independent Christian states in a region increasingly dominated by Islamic powers. The double lion motif on the reverse was a symbol of royal authority adopted from Byzantine tradition, while the cross emphasized Armenia's status as one of the world's first Christian nations.
This is a silver coin from medieval Armenia during the reign of King Levon I, representing the height of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom when it became a significant political entity between the Byzantine and Islamic worlds.
Coin Description:
Front side (Obverse): Depicts King Levon I enthroned, showing him as a powerful monarch
Back side (Reverse): Features two lions and a cross, symbolizing royal power and Christian faith
Technical Details:
Silver composition (AR)
Tram denomination (standard Armenian medieval currency)
Certified by NGC with grade AU (About Uncirculated)
Minted during 1198-1219 CE
Historical Significance: This coin was issued during the reign of Levon I (also known as Leo I), who transformed the Armenian principality of Cilicia (in modern southern Turkey) into a proper kingdom. Levon received his crown from both the Holy Roman Emperor and the Byzantine Emperor, establishing Armenia as a recognized Christian kingdom during the Crusader era. His coronation in 1198 marked the beginning of a new Armenian royal dynasty in Cilicia after the fall of the earlier Armenian kingdoms to Turkish and Byzantine forces. These coins represent Armenia's position as an important trade hub between East and West, as well as its status as one of the few independent Christian states in a region increasingly dominated by Islamic powers. The double lion motif on the reverse was a symbol of royal authority adopted from Byzantine tradition, while the cross emphasized Armenia's status as one of the world's first Christian nations.
Leo II (Armenian: Լեւոն Ա Մեծագործ, romanized: Levon I. Metsagorts; 1150 – 2 May 1219)[a] was the tenth lord of Armenian Cilicia,[4] ruling from 1187 to 1219,[7]: [page needed] and the first king to be crowned, in 1198/9 (sometimes known as Levon I the Magnificent[4]).[b][4][7]: [page needed] Leo eagerly led his kingdom alongside the armies of the Third Crusade and provided the crusaders with provisions, guides, pack animals and all manner of aid.[3]
He was consecrated as king on 6 January 1198[7]: [page needed] or 1199.[4]
He was the younger son of Stephen, the third son of Leo I, lord of Armenian Cilicia.[7]: [page needed] His mother was Rita, a daughter of Sempad, Lord of Barbaron.[10] Leo's father, who was on his way to attend a banquet given by the Byzantine governor of Cilicia, Andronicus Euphorbenus,[4] was murdered[7]: [page needed] on 7 February 1165.[citation needed] Following their father's death, Leo and his elder brother Roupen lived with their uncle.[4][11]
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