Hi all
Whilst collecting
Crusader coins I've picked up a few of 'odd'coins that were inexpensive and pretty rough but looked interesting. Some I've been able to eventually ID but after a few years since occasionally staring at them - these two have me stumped. I thought someone might have seen something similar. I have a copy of Malloy's 'Coins of the
Crusader States 'as my main reference.
I got these 2 coins from a seller based in the Middle East which is why I thinking
Crusader.
The first coin has a
Star of David /Star of Solomon and appears to a bronze. It is thin and poorly struck. The
reverse (?) has a
cross in a square - off centre - with lines extending from the edges of the square. The only coin I've seen that look remotely similar are some late coins of
Antioch sold by
Forum with the
Star of David. Could it be a very late
Crusader bronze or possibly Mameluke or even Mongol?
The second coin is also a small thin bronze - This one has what looks go be a
church or gateway-and some latin letters . The
reverse is a puzzle. Possibly blundered
Kufic in lines? A possblity I considered is a very late bronze of Tyre. Could the
reverse be a poorly detailed arrow rather an an
inscription? Again, there are some aspects that look like some of the late coins of Tyre or
Sidon sold through
Forum.
Your thoughts, speculation and outright guesses are welcome!
Regards
James Marshall