Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne - Carolingian Empire

Was going to wait until it arrived but found that I couldn't hold it in any longer so I've caved and am sharing it now
I decided to treat myself to one last thing before the year is out, and knocked out a bothersome hole in my collection of post-Roman Germanics, that of the Franks. This silver denier (from the Roman 'denarius') bears the name of Louis the Pious (LVDOVVICVS), who ended up being the only surviving son of the great Charlemagne. Aesthetically its not the most exciting coin, I know, but I just love the history of the era in that it was struck.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_the_Pious

Louis the Pious, King of the Franks and Carolingian Emperor (814-840 AD)
AR Denier
Obv: + H LVDOVVICVS IMP, legend around cross
Rev: + METTALVM, legend around cross
Metallum mint (modern Melle, France)
20 mm wide, Rare (most European coins from this era are btw)



The Carolingian Empire in 800 AD (the year Charlemagne was crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by the pope):


It's in the link, but I'd thought I'd post it here as well, a contemporary image of Louis:


Hope you guys like!

 

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Nice write up and cute coin Mr. Knight.

I have to say, Louis the Pious has a nice ring to it.

 

I agree

 

Super coin! Were they generally this well-made, or did you come across an exceptional example?

 

Good work VK, love the write up and map, coin two thumbs up...

 

Super cool coin.

 

From the Carolingian coins I've seen, a fair amount have strike weakness in some areas but overall they were well-struck. But finding them as well-preserved as mine is another story

 

Thanks everybody for the kind words

 

That's half the battle. I'm always doubly disappointed when some obscure coin I want to collect shows evidence of having been struck well, but suffered overly much the abuse of time.

 

I know what you mean John. It kind of sucks even more when its the only one you've seen in months or years of searching, and so you have to choose between passing it by and waiting (what could possibly be a very long time) for what may or may not be a better example, or go for the flawed one right now and possibly even get a decent deal on it. Decisions, decisions...

 

Well Jango, apparently your sweet new coin finally arrived, eh?

=> it looks awesome ... oh, and well done on the ol' write-up!! (full points, Dude)

Yup, ya gotta love those Carolingians!!

 

Thanks steve!

 

oh yeah VK, that one is in super condition i think....fantastic coin.

 

Thanks chrsmat!

 

Ooops, after re-reading your initial post, I discovered that you couldn't quite hold-out until your coin arrived, eh?



=> oh well Jango, now you'll get to update us again once that gorgeous coin actually arrives!!

Ummm well, if nobody else is gonna dive-in, then I'm going to post my example (hope that's acceptable, VK?)

CAROLINGIANS. Charles le Chauve (the Bald),
As Charles II, King of West Francia, AR Denar
840-877 AD
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 1.56 grams
Obverse: Without mint signature (Orléans). + CΛRLVS REX FR, cross pattée with pellet in each quarter
Reverse: XPISTIΛNΛ RELIGIO, temple
Reference: Coupland, Early group D, pl. 23, 43-7; M&G 1159; MEC 1, 846-9
Other: 6h … attractively toned

 

I was hoping you'd post that one Steve, a superb coin!

 

Very interesting coins from the 'Dark Ages', guys. An area still missing from my collection.
Congratulations on your new coins.

It must not have been too pleasant to live in that era, I bet, specially not if you were a peasant.

 

When is peasantry pleasant?

 

You are right!

 

Not in any era of history that I'm aware of!