Coins of the Kingdom of Jerusalem
Sevtap Gölgesiz KaracaBetween the 11th and 12th centuries, various types of coins were minted in the Jerusalem Kingdom, which was centered in Jerusalem and spread mainly along the coastal cities of the Eastern Mediterranean. In the important city centers of the kingdom, such as Jerusalem and Akkâ, mints were established and coins were struck there. In this study, various examples of coins minted in the Kingdom of Jerusalem between 1099-1187 are discussed. Many types of coins were used in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. These are divided into three main groups: Saracen bezant, Jerusalem Royal denier/obol and other types (early anonymous coins, pilgrim coins, baronial coins). The minting periods, weights. and characteristics of each of these coins are different from each other. All of these types of coins originated from different needs and places. These coins, according to their intended use and various needs, played an important role in the commercial life of the kingdom. This article examines the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the largest leader of the Crusader states, from a different perspective to provide information about Crusader coins that were effective in the commercial life of the kingdom.
Kudüs Krallık Sikkeleri
Sevtap Gölgesiz Karaca11.-12. yüzyıllar arasında Kudüs merkezli kurulan ve ağırlıklı olarak Doğu Akdeniz sahil şehirleri boyunca yayılan Kudüs Krallığı döneminde değişik türde sikkeler basılmıştır. Özellikle Kudüs ve Akkâ gibi krallığın önemli merkezlerinde başta olmak üzere, krallık içerisinde pek çok şehirde darphaneler kurulmuş ve buralarda sikke darbı gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, Kudüs Krallığı’nda 1099-1187 yılları arasında basılan çeşitli sikke örneklerine yer verilecektir. Kudüs Krallığı’nda çok çeşitte sikkelerin kullanıldığı görülmektedir. Bunlar Sarazen bezantı, Kudüs Kraliyet denier/obol ve diğer türler (erken dönem anonim sikkeler, hacı sikkeleri, baronyal sikkeler) olmak üzere üç ana gruba ayrılmaktadır. Bu sikkelerin her birinin basım dönemleri, ağırlıkları ve özellikleri birbirlerinden farklıdır. Bahsi geçen türlerin tamamı kendi içinde çeşitli özgünlükler barındırmaktadır. Kullanım amaçlarına göre ve çeşitli ihtiyaçlar doğrultusunda ortaya çıkan bu sikkeler, krallığın ticari hayatında önemli bir yer tutmuştur. Bu makalenin amacı, Haçlı devletlerinin içerisinde en büyüğü ve lideri konumunda bulunan Kudüs Krallığı’na farklı bir açıdan bakmak, krallığın ticari hayatında etkili olan Haçlı sikkeleri hakkında bilgi vermektir.
In this study, the coins minted between 1099-1187 in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, one of the most important Crusader states, are examined. Recent archaeological evidence shows that coins were numerous and varied. The Crusader states, which were founded by Europeans as a result of the First Crusade, established a new and different economic and political structure in the region called Outremer. They established mints and minted coins in important centers of the kingdom, especially in Akkâ. In the region where the Kingdom of Jerusalem was established, many kinds of coins were used. These are divided into three main groups: Saracen Bezant, royal coins and other types. There were two types of Saracen Bezants minted. One set of coins struck before 1250 and the second set after. The gold coins before 1250 were exact Fatımid imitations. Christianity and the symbol of the cross began to appear on coins that were struck after 1250. During the same period, they also minted silver imitation coins. This group of coins was the backbone of the kingdom’s economy. The second group consisted of Jerusalem royal coins. They appeared in two main types. The coins of King Baldwin III (Tower of David) and King Amaury (Holy Sepulchre) were very important. The Tower of David was the most important political symbol of the kingdom. This is why it was prominent on Baldwin coins. From a religious point of view, the church of the Holy Sepulchre was an important building for royal rulers, so it was minted in various forms on Amaury coins. Apart from these coins, the coin of King Guy of Lusignan appeared as a new type of royal coinage. King Guy had his likeness placed on a coin. The denier and obole were also accepted as royal coins. The Kingdom of Jerusalem deniers were inspired by Western European deniers, but they are unique and original types. Again, under the title of this coin group, there were also cut gold coins belonging to the kings. The reign of King Amaury represented an important period for royal coinage. His coins had a wider circulation network within the borders of the kingdom than his predecessor Baldwin III. The data obtained from coins of this period showed that the high-ranking noble class did not weaken royal authority. These coins also showed that the kingdom was not ruled by a simple feudal economy. The third and last main group consisted of other types of coins. Although these were very diverse, those within the historical limit of the article (1099-1187) consisted of early period anonymous coins, pilgrim coins, and baronial coins. Early period anonymous coins appeared as an indication that the kings of Jerusalem had begun minting coins in 1120- or 1130’s in line with the data revealed in the latest excavations, and it suggests that they could belong to the period of King Fulk. Pilgrim coins were for the use of people who came to Jerusalem for pilgrimage, as the center holy place of the kingdom. Baronial coins were minted in the name of the lords of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The coins outside the specified date range are Moneta Regis, Hybrid Type and Anonymous Dragma. As a result, it is understood that the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the largest of the Crusader states, had a unique economy and coin system.
