Crusader Bezant Detail
About Crusader Bezant Detail
See Crusader Bezant entry. The term bezant was used by Western Europeans for any gold coin from Byzantium or the Islamic world. Crusader states initially used Byzantine and Islamic gold coins. The Kingdom of Jerusalem began minting its own gold bezants in the 12th century. The coins imitated Islamic dinars but with Christian modifications. In 1250, Louis IX of France introduced the gold ecu, beginning the revival of European gold coinage independent of Byzantine influence.
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