"Ineffable power": pierced coins and belief in the latin east

Using the large collection of crusader coins at the Museum of the Order of St. John as a starting point, this paper explores some of the non-monetary roles that coins played in the crusading world. A significant number show evidence of secondary use, with some being pierced for suspension to be used...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Material religion
Main Author: Weetch, Rosie (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis [2018]
In: Material religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Johanniterorden / Coin / Collection / Crusades / Amulet
RelBib Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
KAE Church history 900-1300; high Middle Ages
Further subjects:B Crusades
B object biography
B Amulet
B Material Culture
B Coins
B Ritual
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:Using the large collection of crusader coins at the Museum of the Order of St. John as a starting point, this paper explores some of the non-monetary roles that coins played in the crusading world. A significant number show evidence of secondary use, with some being pierced for suspension to be used as items of jewelry. Through this transformation such coins would have lost their monetary value but would have gained new values that were just as powerful. These coins were probably worn as amulets, their effectiveness and power being aided by the materiality, function, and iconography of the coins themselves. This paper argues that in being worn, held, and touched, these repurposed coins were used by individuals in their everyday experience and expression of belief within the changing sociopolitical landscape of the Latin East.
ISSN:1751-8342
Contains:Enthalten in: Material religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/17432200.2018.1539573