CRUSADERS. Antioch. Bohémond I, 1098-1111. Follis (Bronze, 22 mm, 4.50 g, 7 h). Nimbate bust of St. Peter facing, wearing tunic, raising his right hand in benediction and holding cross in his left. Rev. Cross pommée, fleuronée at base; in angles, B / H / [M / T]. CCS 1. Metcalf, Crusades, 481. Porteous 14. Wäckerlin -. Rare and unusually well preserved. Repatinated and with traces of overstriking, otherwise, good very fine.


Bohémond, the eldest son of the Norman conqueror, Robert Guiscard, was one of the leaders of the First Crusade and the founder of the long-lasting Principality of Antiochia. The design of these coins is based on the official bullae that he used as Prince of Taranto in 1090. It is worth noting that this example was overstruck on an Islamic fals, with considerable parts of the undertype (Kufic legend on the obverse and the hindquarters of a lion) still visible.