You surely understand this: people know you are interested in ancient coins, and sometimes they come and show you old coins they found or inherited. Recently a friend came to me with some Roman and late Roman bronzes, and this: I apologize for the photo, taken with my smartphone. I couldn't note the weight and diameter, too. I think it is a Merovingian denier. It is in silver, very small (c. 10 mm) and thin. I know nothing about this kind of coin. Any help will be warmly welcomed! Thanks...
I'm no expert, but since nobody else has replied I'll add my 2¢. I agree it looks like a Merovingian denier, the size is right, the cross with pellets is often found on them, and the lettering is right. There are a bewildering array of types, most very rare, so it may be a challenge identifying it! The obverse might be a stylized bust, oriented correctly. Is that what you're thinking? Something like this: They can get very stylized indeed: As you can see, that one even has the pelleted cross, but there's no legend resemblance. I see something like "EMBO" on your reverse. Here's my only Merovingian denier: Minted at Catullacum/St. Denis in the early 8th century. By scouring BNF/Gallica I was able to find a match for my coin:
I would also agree with 'merovingian'. The first mint that came to mind was Bourges, but I couldn't find a similar design. Note that it's very crude, so a contemporary imitation might very well be possible.
I'm not sure how one draws the line between official and imitation for Merovingian... there were so many mints and moneyers and such wide variation in quality of engraving. But here's a tremissis which is fourrée and so definitely an imitation: It also happens to be my coin portrait that most resembles a chicken.
Following on, here's a type that's more common than mine, but clearly based on it. (I like how the ear becomes a hole in the helmet on some of these, esp. top right.) Are these imitations of mine, which was the original, official type? Or later, poorer productions? (or earlier, poorer productions?) Or a different official mint copying my type? I have no clue!
Very interesting ! Can you tell me why Bourges came to your mind? This coin belongs to somebody living near Chateauroux, 60 km from Bourges...
The cross with pellets in each quadrant is often seen on deniers from Bourges. Then again, my focus is mainly sceatta's. I know @Nap knows a thing or two about Merovingian coinage, perhaps he can weigh in? Alternatively, you can email CGB (French auction house) for some directions.
