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Crusaders, Principality of Antioch, Late Anonymous, 1250 - 1268
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer for 40 years and co-author of Coins of the Crusader States. See Malloy Crusaders p. 197 for a discussion of the late anonymous series. Ex John J. Slocum Collection. Mr. Slocum was in the American diplomatic service in the Holy Land where he collected rare and unique coins in the early 1960's.
Antioch existed for over 1500 years, was one of the three most important cities in the ancient world, and in the 1st century had a population of about 500,000 (not counting women and slaves). On 18 May 1268, Antioch surrendered to Baibars on the condition that the lives of the citizens would be spared. As soon as his troops were within the gates, Baibars ordered the gates shut and brutally massacred everyone in the city. Lamenting that Antioch's ruler had not been present either for the siege or the ransacking and murder, Baibars wrote a detailed letter describing exactly what had been done, concluding with the phrase, "Had you been there, you would have wished you had never been born."
FORVM has three examples of this type from the Malloy Collection. This particular coin is a unique variant. The other two examples have a small T above H, missing on this coin. No other examples are known and the type is otherwise unknown to modern numismatics. Historically of great importance, these coins were minted in the last throngs of the city of Antioch as it was dying.
SH32084. Bronze pougeoise, unpublished and historically important, unique variant of type with only three known, Malloy CCS -, Metcalf Crusades -, aVF, weight 0.774g, maximum diameter 14.7mm, die axis 45o, obverse hexagram, AN (Antioch) monogram in center; reverse hexagram, ΠP monogram in center (uncertain meaning, perhaps the moneyers name or the ruling Crusaders at this time but interestingly in Greek not Latin); of great rarity; SOLD
REFERENCES
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