Crusaders, Antioch, Late Anonymous, 1250 - 1268; Bronze AE 15

Product Details

• ASIN: B0027HJY0Q

Product Description

Crusaders, Antioch, Late Anonymous, 1250 - 1268; Bronze AE 15; references: Malloy Crusaders 132 (this coin); VF; 0.986 g, maximum diameter 17.6 mm, die axis 225 degrees, obverse A/N-T/I clockwise in the angles of a long cross pattée; reverse ANTI counterclockwise in the angles of a long cross pattéeextremely rare; This is the line drawing coin in Malloy, Preston and Seltman's Coins of the Crusader States. From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer for 40 years. Antioch existed for over 1500 years, it was one of the three most important cities in the ancient world, and in the 1st century had a population of 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. Historically of great importance, this coin was minted in the last throngs of the city of Antioch as it was dying. (Forum #31585)