Huszár 547 var., Pohl 89-1 var., Unger 432a, var., Réthy II 89A var., Frynas H.25.32 var.

Lajos/Louis I (Lajos I (1342-1382)

AR denar, .64 g., 13.88 mm. max., 0°.

Obv: + mOnETA LODOVICI, Saracen head left.

Rev: + REGIS hVnGARIE, Patriarchal cross without random pellets.

The type was struck 1373-1382 per Huszár, who later wrote that the coinage incepted in 1372, and per Pohl and Unger; in 1358-1371 per Frynas, apparently based on Tóth, Csaba, Der "Sarachen-Denar," Folia Archaeologica 49/50 (2001-2002), pp. 349-366; and in 1358-1366 per Gyöngyössy. Those without a privy mark were struck in Pécs by Johannes Saracenus (per Pohl), or at an unknown mint (per Gyöngyössy).

The Saracen's head is a pun on the surname of Jacobus Szerechen/Saracenus and his brother, Johannes, courtiers of Italian descent who were ennobled by Louis. The image of a Saracen's head appeared on their coat of arms. Jacobus became the kammergraf at the Pécs mint in 1352, and the Comes Camerarum Regalium in 1369. He died in the early 1370s, at which time Johannes succeeded him as kammergraf.

Huszár/Pohl rarity3, Unger value 8 DM, Frynas rarity C. Ratings pertain to the usual variety, in which there are random pellets around the cross.