CNG 100, Lot: 483. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CRUSADERS, County of Tripoli. Imitation Bezants. 12th-13th centuries. AV Bezant (23mm, 3.56 g, 5h). Imitating a dinar of the Fatimid caliph al-Mustansir. Tripolis (Tripoli) mint. Second phase, after 1148/59-1187?. Kalima in four lines, ali above; annulets in inner margin; mint formula and AH date in outer margin / Name and titles of al-Mustansir in three lines, ma’ad above; "Second Symbol" (Quran 9: 33) in outer margin. Balog & Yvon 5 var. (additional annulet on reverse); cf. Metcalf, Crusades, 487 (for type); cf. CCS 3b (same). Choice EF.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Matthew Rich Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 53, 15 March 2000), lot 2040.