Crusader States – Bohemond III of Antioch (AD 1162–1201)
Silver Denier (BI) | Antioch Mint
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Coin Details
•State: Principality of Antioch (Crusader State)
•Ruler: Bohemond III
•Reign: AD 1162–1201
•Mint: Antioch
•Denomination: Denier
•Material: Silver (BI)
•Weight: 0.59 g
•Diameter: 17 mm
•Die Axis: 12h
•Condition: Good Very Fine
•Reference: Metcalf S.125ff
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Obverse
Legend +BOAMVNDVS.
Profile bust of Bohemond III facing left, flanked by a crescent to the left and a star to the right. The portrait reflects the martial identity of the Crusader prince, while the celestial symbols echo the multicultural environment of Antioch, a city at the crossroads of Latin, Byzantine, and Islamic worlds.
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Reverse
Legend +ANTIOCHIA.
A small cross at center, with a crescent placed in the first angle. The design highlights the Christian identity of the Crusader state while simultaneously acknowledging the strong Near Eastern influences present in local coinage.
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Historical Significance
Bohemond III ruled the Principality of Antioch during a long and challenging period marked by warfare, diplomacy, and shifting alliances. Antioch was one of the most important and culturally diverse Crusader capitals, playing a key strategic role in the eastern Mediterranean.
Crusader deniers like this one are especially valued for their hybrid iconography, combining Western European Christian symbols with Eastern motifs. These coins served not only as everyday currency but also as expressions of authority and legitimacy in a contested frontier region.
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Why This Coin Matters
•Authentic silver denier from a major Crusader State
•Issued during the long reign of Bohemond III
•Unique blend of Christian and Near Eastern symbolism
•Struck at Antioch, one of the most significant cities of the Crusades
•Highly collectible medieval historical artifact
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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