Obol Provisino (Roman senate mid 1200's)

Obv: cross surrounded with SENATVS PQR
Rev: ROMACAPUTMVN Comb in middle, S above
Date: mid-late 1100's
Mint: Rome
15mm, .47g
Berman 94
R4734


ex Allen Berman

The billion/peace, silver deniers struck at Provins had been a common coin associated with the fairs of champagne and circulated widely through southern France and Italy. The comb on the coin represents the wool trade that flourished in that time. It is also considered a pun on the name of the region as Champagne, Champ (field) and peigne (comb).

In the 1100s, the pope spent much less time in Rome. Having moved the papacy up to Avignon in France. With the decreased pilgrimage, traffic in Rome, Roman senate started minting coins issued with the wool comb and cross design. Generally, these are poorly struck coins. Difficult to read the entire inscription. One of the significant differences is that the original coins struck in Provins I have a V above the comb where the coins from Rome have a S.

excerpt from Ancient Medieval coins; Power struggle (2023) Allen Berman