Cilician Armenia Die Match!

[lv88]

A recent aquisition from the NYINC this weekend. Appears to be a die match to an ex. CNG piece:

CILICIAN ARMENIA, SMBAT, AR DRAM.


Obv. King seated on a throne ornamented with lion heads, feet resting on a footstool, wearing a crown and a royal mantel, holding a cross in the right hand and fleur-de-lis in the left.

There are circles in the field, and between the cross and first letter in the legend. This is a curious and unknown phenomenon seen on some of Smbat's drams. Only these two have them in the legend as well, most only between the king next to throne's lions
+ o ՍՄԲԱՏ ԹԱԳԱՒՈՐ ՀԱՅՈՑ
Rev. A cross between two lions, rampant, regardant. An unusual cross.
+ ԿԱՐՈՂՈՒԹԲՆ ԱՍՏՈՒԾՈՅ
This specimen appears to be a die match to CNG 61, Lot: 2350

Any thoughts? Comments ?

Regards,
Levon

[lv88]

here:

[i-xan]

sorry, I've not got the question, yes, maybe or probably it's a die match. does it mean anything in particular?

best regards, will email you today or tomorrow

I-xan

[lv88]

Hi!


Well, a die atch is a rare occurance for C. Armenian coins in itself.

For Smbat, his coins are rare period. So, a die match would be a rare occurance. If you notice the two cicles in the field, they are somtimes seen on other Smbat coins not having a die match to this, but there is also a circle between the cross and the start of the first letter in the legend. this I have seen only on these two coins, which appear to be die matches. Very curious.

Best,
Levon

[i-xan]

well, as far as I understand, the rarer the coin, the more chances two specimens to be die matches

[lv88]

HI!

Yes, I did forget about that, the rarer, tyhe more likely a die match. This is though quite an interesting discovery.

[Manzikert]

Hi Levon

A very nice piece, slightly better struck than the CNG specimen as well I think. The short reign definitely makes the obvious die match less unusual.

I like the king's hat: it rather reminds me of the Chinese conical hats: are there any contemporary pictures of Smbat (or any other king) wearing this rather than a crown?

Best wishes

Alan

[lv88]

Hi Alan!

Yes, It does remind one of a Chinese hat. This is actually the crown though, given, I agreee very odd. There are a number of varieties of crowns, from typical Western to Eastern Byzantine crowns. see my gallery for a veriety of crowns.

Best,
Levon