★ An extremely rare follis of Bohémond I ★

CRUSADERS. Antioch. Bohémond I, 1098-1111. Follis (Bronze, 25 mm, 3.54 g, 1 h). Nimbate bust of St. Peter facing, wearing tunic, raising his right hand in benediction and holding cross in his left; in field to right, ΠЄ. Rev. Cross pommée, fleuronée at base; in angles, B / H / M / T. CCS 1. Metcalf, Crusades, 481. Porteous 14. Wäckerlin -. Extremely rare. Corroded, otherwise, good 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-living Principality of Antiochia. His coinage is extremely rare today, and the types are based on the official bullae which he used as Prince of Taranto in 1090.