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Seal of the Grand Master of the Order of the Temple

Seal of the Grand Master of the Order of the Temple - obverseSeal of the Grand Master of the Order of the Temple - reverse

© Jenel Marbera (CC BY-SA)

Features

Location Spain
Type Coin replicas
Composition Silver (.970)
Weight 3.8 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness 1.6 mm
Shape Round
Technique Cast
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
571294

Obverse

Script: Latin (uncial)

Lettering: ✠ SIGILLVM · MILITVM · XPISTI ·

Lettering (regular font): ✠ SIGILLVM · MILITVM · XPISTI ·

Translation: Seal of the Militia of Christ

Reverse

Script: Latin (uncial)

Lettering: ✠ DE TEMPLO : CRISTI

Lettering (regular font): ✠ DE TEMPLO : CRISTI

Translation: Dome of the Rock, sanctuary on the Temple Mount in Old City of Jerusalem.

Edge

Smooth round

Seal of the Grand Master of the Order of the Temple -  obverse

© Jenel Marbera (CC BY-SA)

Comments

https://templars.fandom.com/wiki/Templars_Wiki

The Templar Seal showing two knights (perhaps Hugues de Payens and Godfrey de Saint-Omer) on one horse. There are many interpretations of the symbolism of this seal.
Contemporary legend held that the symbol represented the initial poverty of the order; that they could afford only a single horse for every two men.
Still, the Rule of the Order from the outset permitted three horses and no more for each knight, as well as no Templars sharing the same horse.
Several masters adopted this seal from the beginning of the order until at least 1298. It is known to have been in use since 1167.[citation needed] The Rule forbids two riders on the same beast.
According to legend, Hugues de Payens (the first Grand-Master of the Templars) and Godfrey were so poor that between the two of them they had only one horse, and this gave rise to the famous image on the seal of the Templars, of two men riding a single horse. The image of two knights on the horse was widely used:
Matthew Paris in Chronica Majora ca 1250
An English monk and chronicler from St. Albans in Historia Anglorum
At least as early as 1158 as the seal of the Grand Master of the Temple, Bertrand de Blanchefort. This is the earliest known seal for the Grand Master of the Temple forty years after the Order was formed.
Use of this symbol continued under subsequent Grand Masters for as long as the Order survived, however the seal went through more than one incarnation. The Reynaut de Vichiers, who was Master of the Temple from 1255-1259 depict same images, but it is obviously not the same seal.

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
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Numista Rarity index: 97 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
Bullion value: USD 8.77 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 2378 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.
Actual silver weight: 0.119 oz
Current silver price: 73.97 USD/oz (see silver price )

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