1851.] Description of a Copper Coin of Leo, Sfc. 



153 



of two stars on either 

 flank : the sign of a 

 cross marks the com- 



mencement of the le- |/>Sy^V^^ftS 

 gend on both sides, l^lj^ft^ /C»l 

 The weight of the Y^ X^y ^J 



coin is little more 



than 90 grains Troy, 

 and though displaying no great artistic perfection, it is not altogether 

 devoid of some skilfulness. From the absence of date, and from 

 the circumstance of there having been six kings of the name of Leo, 

 it would appear somewhat difficult to fix the age of the coin. By 

 attending however to the subjoined particulars concerning the life 

 of Leo II., we might safely refer its execution in his reign. 



On the abdication of his brother Reuben II., Leo, the second of 

 that name, succeeded to the government of the Armenian kingdom 

 of Celicia in the year 1185. This prince was remarkable for his 

 wisdom and piety ; and he greatly contributed to the happiness of 

 his subjects by the salutary laws he enacted for their guidance. 

 By his valorous and courageous conduct he extended his dominions 

 beyond Mount Taurus, and made the city of Tarsus his place of 

 residence, sometimes exchanging it for the city of Sis, which he 

 improved and beautified. He took many towns and fortresses 

 from the Saracens ; and by his daring exploits gained the respect 

 and admiration of the neighbouring princes : an instance of his 

 strategic skill in capturing Bohemond, Prince of Antioch, is relat- 

 ed by Marinus Sanutus, ( Secreta Fidelium Cruris lib. III. pars. 

 X, c. VIII. J Observing the prosperity which his government en- 

 joyed, Leo began to wish for a public coronation, and the events of 

 the time proved favorable to his desire. The emperor of Germany, 

 Frederic I., to whom Leo had been of considerable assistance dur- 

 ing the third Crusade, promised the Armenian prince to restore in 

 his person the ancient kingdom of Armenia. The untimely and 

 unfortunate end of Barbarossa, however, prevented him from exe- 

 cuting his promise ; but Leo was not to be discouraged : he de- 

 spatched ambassadors to Pope Celestinus III., and to Henry VI. , 

 the son and successor of Frederic, regarding the affair, and request- 



YOL. XYII. NO. XXXIX. V 



