The most famous early Christian monk was Saint Simeon, or, in Arabic, Sam'aan, (386-459 AD) - who built a pillar – or stylite - in Syria and lived on top of it for nearly 42 years.

The most famous early Christian monk was Saint Simeon, or, in Arabic, Sam'aan, (386-459 AD) - who built a pillar – or stylite - in Syria and lived on top of it for nearly 42 years. He became a famous saint all across the Empire, and pilgrims from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain), the Gaul’s lands (France), England and Italy came to Syria to the convent to visit him and gain his blessing.
This token depicts the face of Saint Simeon, miraculous cures were believed to have been performed with tokens like this which was made of earth taken from near the base of the columns.