CNG 100, Lot: 472. Estimate $3000. Sold for $6800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

UNCERTAIN EUROPE. Circa 11th Century. AV Bezant – Mancus (23mm, 3.78 g, 3h). Uncertain mint. Pseudo-Kufic inscription; cross above first line / Large cross with V-shaped upper bar creating a three-towered gate; on either side, three peck marks above, imitating crenellation, arched entries below; all within pelleted linear quadrate border with lines extending to pellets in outer linear border; curved hashed line above five pellets in outer upper and lower margins; curved hashed line and palm frond in outer left and right margins; annulets in upper left and right voids. Cf. Lavoix 1122-1123 rev. (for obv.); otherwise unpublished in the standard references. VF, minor light roughness, slightly crimped flan.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 55 (13 September 2000), lot 1636 (there attributed to Crusaders at Antioch); Numismatica Ars Classica E (4 April 1995), lot 3333.