Cilician Armenia – Levon I (AD 1198–1219)
Copper Tank | Sis Mint
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Coin Details
•Kingdom: Cilician Armenia
•Ruler: Levon I (Leo I the Magnificent)
•Mint: Sis (capital of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia)
•Date: Late 12th – Early 13th century AD
•Denomination: Tank
•Material: Copper
•Weight: 7.73 g
•Diameter: 29 mm
•Die Axis: 6h
•Condition: Good Very Fine
•Reference: AC 303
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Obverse
Armenian legend +ԼԵՒՈՆ ԹԱԳԱՒՈՐ ՀԱՅՈՑ
(“Levon, King of the Armenians”).
Crowned lion’s head facing slightly right.
The lion, a powerful royal emblem, symbolizes strength, sovereignty, and divine protection, and became a lasting symbol of Armenian kingship under Levon I.
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Reverse
Armenian legend +ԿԱՐՈՂՈՒԹԵՆ ԱՍՏՈՒԾՈՅ
(“By the will of God”).
A patriarchal cross flanked by stars, emphasizing the deeply Christian identity of the Armenian kingdom and the belief that royal authority was granted through divine will.
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Historical Significance
Levon I was the first ruler of Cilician Armenia to be crowned King, receiving recognition from both the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. His reign marked the height of Armenian political power in the eastern Mediterranean, strengthening alliances with Crusader states and establishing Cilicia as a major Christian kingdom between East and West.
Coins of Levon I are particularly significant for their strong Christian symbolism, Armenian inscriptions, and distinctive iconography, reflecting a unique blend of Eastern and Western medieval traditions.
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Why This Coin Matters
•Issued by the first King of Cilician Armenia
•Striking lion imagery and Christian symbolism
•Clear Armenian inscriptions
•Large copper format with strong visual presence
•Important witness to medieval Armenian history
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Included with This Coin
✔️ Certificate of Authenticity & Provenance
✔️ Protective capsule or archival-quality holder
✔️ Handcrafted envelope made from traditional Amalfi paper, produced using pure cotton fibers following medieval techniques
✔️ Certificate envelope sealed with wax, bearing the official Numisnation logo