Levon King of the Armenians, Levon enthroned facing, holding globus cruciger and lis-tipped scepter; throne decorated with lions // Struck in the city of Sis, Two lions rampant back-to-back, each with heads reverted; patriarchal cross between. 17mm, 1.29 grams. Bedoukian #93; cf. AC 277; cf. CCA 71

High grade and rare.

Levon I (also known as Leo I, c. 1150–1219) was the first King of Cilician Armenia, ruling from 1198 until his death in 1219. A member of the Rubenid dynasty, he expanded and strengthened the Armenian principality, gaining recognition as king from both the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope. Levon skillfully balanced alliances between the Crusader states and Byzantine Empire while resisting Seljuk and Ayyubid threats. His reign saw economic and cultural prosperity, with increased trade and ties to European powers. He sought to establish Cilicia as a major Christian kingdom in the region, laying the foundation for its later prominence. Levon died in 1219, leaving a strong legacy but a disputed succession.