Please Note: This is an authentic Armenian Crusade-Era Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.
Each Coin Size Varies - FOR PENDANT SIZE SEE COIN DETAILS BELOW
Step back in time… almost 1,000 years ago...
From the ashes of the once-great Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Armenia had emerged from 1,000 years of war to stand, proud and free, on the land of their ancestors: vast tracks of the Levant region – including most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus, southern Turkey, northwestern Iraq and the Sinai Peninsula. Much of the Pilgrim Trail, and the very land European Crusaders, including the Knights Templar, would need to pass through to reach the Holy Land.
Devout Christians, the Cilician Armenians welcomed their Christian brothers, and offered them not only stores and weapons, but their most precious resource… proud sons and military leaders who were legendarty for their bravery, strength and loyalty. This precious, hand-hammered copper coin is a reminder of a time long past, when faith, honor and courage united to change world history.
April's Notes: Beautiful, full centered cross and copper toning. Perhaps best of all, it is what we call "zero die axis." When these coins were struck, the minters didn't care if the top of one side of the coin was also the top on the other side - what we call "Medallic Orientation." This coin is one of the rare ones you can wear it either side out.
We are always asked this question... and it's a good one! This Armenian Crusader era coin is one of them. The Knights Templar were created to protect Christian pilgrims traveling back and forth from Europe to Jerusalem. The Pilgrim Trail passed right through Cilician Armenia, and the Templar Knights fought alongside their Armenian brothers. This type of coin most certainly would have been in their pouches. An amazing survivor of the Pilgrim Trails of the Holy Land.
“Among the good deeds which the Armenian people have done towards the church and the Christian world, it should especially be stressed that, in those times when the Christian princes and the warriors went to retake the Holy Land, no people or nation, with the same enthusiasm, joy and faith came to their aid as the Armenians did, who supplied the Crusaders with horses, provision and guidance. The Armenians assisted these warriors with their utter courage and loyalty during the Holy wars.” Pope Gregory XIII
The coins of the Cilician Armenian Crusader state are stunning. Now conserved, they are a rich toned copper with the Crusader’s Cross declaring to the world their Christian alliance. Medieval script adorns the edges, evoking the names of the Armenian kings of antiquity.
But beyond these copper coins, Cilician Armenia speaks to our modern world in many ways. The influence of western Crusader nobles was so potent that Armenia became a center of European culture and influence in the middle east. Titles, jousts and tournaments became popular, and French Christian names became common. This western influence created trade and cultural exchanges that survive to today.
But what Armenia gave the West is even more interesting to us, and it may be to you; your classic “fairy-tale” type castles. Returning Crusaders brought to Europe centuries of Eastern architectural traditions learned at the feet of Armenian masons and builders. Featuring curved walls and round towers perched on dizzying heights, if you love a wonderfully romantic, round-towered French or German castle, you have Cilician Armenia to thank for it. And those turreted, fortified castles significantly changed European warfare, impacting the creation and leadership of modern European states, and the formation of what we call the "Modern West".
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
