CNG 85, Lot: 126. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARMENIA, Cilician Armenia. Royal. Guy (Gosdantin II). 1342-1344. Æ Pogh (19mm, 1.32 g, 6h). Guy seated facing on throne, holding lis and crucifix / Cross pattée over small saltire cross. AC 470; CCA 2040. Near VF, rough dark green patina. Extremely rare.

From the R.A. Collection. Ex Araratian Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 36, 5 December 1995), lot 876.

The direct line of the Roupenian kings ended with the death of Levon IV, Oshin’s only son and successor. Elected by the Armenian barons, Guy of Lusignan, Levon’s cousin and the reigning Prince of Tyre, became the first Latin king of Cilician Armenia, taking the name Gosdantin II. Arriving from Constantinople with his own contingent of soldiers, he was an able soldier who managed to avoid paying tribute to the Mamluk aggressors. Internally, however, he provoked considerable resentment from barons by only surrounding himself with French-speaking courtiers, ultimately leading to his downfall and death.