CRUSADERS.Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.Imitation Bezants.(11th-12th centuries).Gold bezant.

Obv : Pseudo-Kufic legend.

Rev : Pseudo-Kufic legend.
Metcalf 119.

Condition : The coin is in very good condition with a bright gold patina. The inscriptions and designs remain clear, with only slight wear visible around the edges, and the patina gives it a polished, radiant appearance.Good very fine.

Material : Gold.
Axis : 3h

Weight : 3.32 gr
Diameter : 22 mm

During the time of the Crusades, the Crusaders in the Kingdom of Jerusalem minted coins using Arabic script for several practical and strategic reasons. This decision was rooted in the complex political, economic, and cultural landscape of the Levant in the 11th and 12th centuries, where the Crusaders ruled over a mixed population of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Here are some of the key reasons why the Crusaders chose to use Arabic inscriptions on their coinage:The Crusaders needed to integrate their economy into the broader Mediterranean and Middle Eastern trade networks, where Islamic dinars and dirhams were widely accepted and trusted. By minting coins that resembled the Islamic dinar, particularly in form and language, the Crusaders ensured that their currency would be accepted in trade with the surrounding Muslim territories. The use of Arabic script, which was the dominant written language of commerce in the region, made their coins more recognizable and trustworthy to local merchants and traders.

Although the Crusaders were Christian rulers, they ruled over a significant non-Christian population, including Muslims and Eastern Christians who were familiar with Arabic script. By adopting Arabic on their coins, the Crusaders were making a pragmatic decision to appeal to the local population. This helped maintain social order and facilitated economic transactions within their diverse kingdom.The Crusaders, particularly in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, imitated the design of Islamic gold dinars because these coins had long been trusted and widely circulated throughout the Islamic world. By mimicking these established coins, they hoped to ensure that their own currency would carry the same level of trust and value. This imitation extended to the use of Arabic script, which had become synonymous with stable and reliable currency in the region.The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and other Crusader states were heavily influenced by both Byzantine and Islamic cultures. Arabic script was common not only in Islamic territories but also in Byzantine coinage during certain periods. The Crusaders' decision to adopt Arabic writing reflects the broader cultural and artistic exchanges that were happening at the time between the Christian West, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic world.

The Crusaders were outsiders in the Levant and had to find ways to legitimize their rule over the local population. By using Arabic script on their coins, they could convey a sense of continuity with the established political and economic systems of the region. This allowed them to project their power in a way that was more acceptable and recognizable to both their subjects and their neighbors.The decision by the Crusaders to mint coins with Arabic script was a reflection of their need to integrate into the local economy and society. It was a practical move to facilitate trade, build trust, and legitimize their rule in a region where Arabic was the dominant written language. This blend of Western and Eastern influences in Crusader coinage highlights the complexities of life in the Crusader states, where religious and cultural differences often intersected in surprising ways.