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Großbritannien

25 New Pence 1981 (Kupfer-Nickel)

Hochzeit von Lady Di und Prinz Charles

Gewicht: 28,28g

Erhaltung: vorzüglich _199Antonivs Protti

EDWARD IV
Edward IV was King of England from March 1461 to October 1470, and again from April 1471 until his sudden death in 1483. He was the first Yorkist King of England. The first half of his rule was marred by the violence associated with the Wars of the Roses, but he overcame the Lancastrian challenge to the throne at Tewkesbury in 1471 and there were no further rebellions in England during the rest of his reign.
In 1475, Edward declared war on France, landing at Calais in June. However, his ally Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, failed to provide any significant military assistance leading Edward to undertake negotiations with the French, with whom he came to terms under the Treaty of Picquigny. France provided him with an immediate payment of 75,000 crowns and a yearly pension of 50,000 crowns, thus allowing him to "recoup his finances". Edward also backed an attempt by Alexander Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany and brother of King James III of Scotland, to take the Scottish throne in 1482. Edward's younger brother, the Duke of Gloucester (and future King Richard III) led an invasion of Scotland that resulted in the capture of Edinburgh and the Scottish king himself. Alexander Stewart, however, reneged on his agreement with Edward. The Duke of Gloucester then withdrew from his position in Edinburgh, though he did retain Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Edward became subject to an increasing number of ailments when his health began to fail and he fell fatally ill at Easter in 1483. He survived long enough though to add some codicils to his will, the most important being to name his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester as Protector after his death. He died on 9th April 1483 and was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was succeeded first by his twelve-year-old son Edward V of England, who was never crowned, and then by his brother who reigned as Richard III.
It is not known what actually caused Edward's death. Pneumonia, typhoid and poison have all been conjectured, but some have attributed his death to an unhealthy lifestyle because he had become stout and inactive in the years before his death.*Alex

Gratian, AE2, Arles. 378-383 AD.
DN GRATIA-NVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right / REPARATIO REIPVB, Gratian standing front, head left, holding Victory on globe and raising kneeling female on left. Mintmark PCON.
RIC IX Arles 20a.Antonivs Protti

OBV:+ RENATI* D[V]X* BARREN* Z* LOTHO’ M;René, Duke of Bar
and Lorraine.(Quartered field of Anjou and Bar, an escutcheon
of Lorraine embroidered over the whole)
REV:MONET* FAC-TA* [IN*] S* MICHAL Currency minted in Saint-
(Pal sword cutting the legend and next to a bar accompanied by
two crossettes and an alerion.)
Mint: Saint Mihiel
Date: 1431-1452.
Roberts 9425, BD 1492
23mm, 1.24g
ex cng eauction 535, Lot 863 29/3/23
-----

René of Anjou (1409-1480), better known as "Good King René" was also Count of Provence (1434-1480), Duke of Bar (1419-1480). By his marriage to Isabelle de Lorraine, the daughter of Duke Charles, he became Duke of Lorraine. He was also king of Naples (1438-1442), titular king of Sicily and nominal of Jerusalem (1434-1480).wileyc

Falling horsemanAll 15 official mints.
Alexandria
Amiens
Antioch
Aquileia
Arles
Constantinople
Cyzicus
Heraclea
Lyons
Nicomedia
Rome
Sirmium
Siscia
Thessalonica
Trier
Barbaous Mint

Updated coins with a new background (thanks Jay!)1 commentsRandygeki(h2)

Louis XIII and Anne d'Autriche. AE (Brass) Jeton struck c.1615 - 1616Obverse: LVDO•XIII D G FR•ET•NA•ANNA•AVSTR•HISPAN. Crowned jugate busts of Louis XIII and Anne facing right, both wearing ruffs.
Reverse: Crown and two branches above two hearts, between which are the scrolled words CARITAS / *SPES* / *FIDES* in three lines above * L * - * A * (for Louis and Anne) either side of facing eagle. Below, scroll bearing the words •HANS•LAVFER•; in exergue H – L (for Hans Laufer) either side of floral device.

Struck at Nuremburg, Germany
Die engraver: Hans Laufer
Dimensions: 27.1mm | Weight: 3.87gms | Die Axis: 12
Ref. M: 3714 | Feuardent: 12329

Hans Laufer became Guild master at Nuremburg in 1611, though he had been responsible for issuing jetons from 1607. He died in 1632.

Louis XIII became king of France and Navarre in 1610, shortly before his ninth birthday, after his father Henry IV was assassinated. He ruled France until he died of Tuberculosis in 1643. Anne was betrothed to him at the age of eleven and, on 24th November 1615, they were married by proxy in Burgos. The marriage following the tradition of cementing military and political alliances between France and Spain that had begun with the marriage of Philip II of Spain to Elisabeth of Valois in 1559 as part of the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis. Anne and Louis, both fourteen years old, were pressured to consummate their marriage in order to forestall any possibility of future annulment, but this was ignored and Louis' mother, Marie de Medici, continued to conduct herself as Queen of France, without showing any deference to her daughter-in-law. However, in 1617, Louis conspired with Charles d'Albert, Duke of Luynes, to dispense with his mother's influence and she was ousted in a palace coup d'état which also saw her favourite, Concino Concini, assassinated. Louis turned now to Cardinal Richelieu as his advisor but Anne was opposed to Richelieu and became embroiled in several intrigues against him. This inevitably created tension between Louis and Anne. But despite this, and after having endured several stillbirths, in 1638 Anne finally gave birth to a son, the future Louis XIV, and the Bourbon line was further secured when in 1640 she gave birth to a second son, Philippe. *Alex

Louis XIV (1643 - 1715), AE (Brass) Jeton struck c.1644 – 1645Obverse: LVD•XIIII•D:G•FR•ET•NA•REX. Laureate and cuirassed youthful bust of Louis XIV facing right; • B • (for Briot) below.
Reverse: CONSILIO•NIL•NISI•. The escutcheon of France, surrounded by the chain of the Ordre du Saint-Esprit (Order of the Holy Spirit): Necklace and Cross. The legend translates as “He undertakes nothing without Council”, a reference to the administrative council of the king.
Dimensions: 25.65mm | Weight: 5.4gms | Die Axis: 12
Ref. Feuardent: 239 var.

Struck at the Monnaie de Louvre mint, Paris, France
Die engraver: Nicholas Briot

Nicholas Briot (c.1579–1646) was an innovative French coin engraver, medallist and mechanical engineer, who is credited with the invention of the coining-press. He emigrated to England in 1625 and in 1626 he was commissioned to make 'puncheons and dies' for the Coronation of Charles I. His Coronation Medal established his reputation and he went on to produce a considerable number of dies for medals and coins in the following years. In 1633, he was appointed chief engraver to the Royal Mint and went to Scotland to prepare and coin the coronation pieces of Charles I. These demonstrated both his artistic skill and the technical superiority of his new coining machinery and in 1635, on the death of Sir John Foulis, Briot was appointed Master of the Mint in Scotland and superintended the Scottish coinage for several years. Briot was then recalled to England by the King, and on the outbreak of the English Civil War he took possession of the coining apparatus at the Tower and had it removed 'for the purpose of continuing the coining operations in the cause of the King'. Briot travelled to France in the early 1640's and sent coining presses to his brother Isaac, now in a senior position at the Paris Mint, he died on Christmas Eve 1646.*Alex

138 - 161, ANTONINUS PIUS, AE As, Struck 154 - 155Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII, laureate and draped bust of Antoninus Pius facing right.
Reverse: BRITANNIA COS IIII, Britannia seated facing left on rock, shield and vexillum in background; S C in exergue.
Diameter: 26mm | Weight: 9.4gms | Die Axis: 7h
RIC III: 934 | SRCV: 4296 | Cohen: 117
SCARCE

The bronze coins of Antoninus Pius bearing the "Britannia" reverse type have been found in considerable quantities in Britain, but are not generally recorded from Roman sites in France and Germany. The many "Britannia" issues of Antoninus Pius found in Coventina's Well, Carrawburgh, seem to have come from only a few dies, suggesting that the place of mintage for them was not far distant, though it is possible that the issue was both issued at Rome and produced locally in Britannia.
The reverse type of Britannia seated on a rock, eventually adorned Great Britain's coinage many centuries later when the design was reintroduced by Charles II in 1672.

COVENTINA'S WELL
Dedications to Coventina and votive deposits were found in a walled area, now called "Coventina's Well", which had been built to contain the outflow from a spring near the site of a Roman fort and settlement, on Hadrian's Wall. Now called Carrawburgh, the site is named as Procolita in the 5th century "Notitia Dignitatum". The remains of a Roman Mithraeum and Nymphaeum were also found near the site.
*Alex

138 - 161, ANTONINUS PIUS, AE As, Struck 154 - 155 alluding to BritanniaObverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII. Laureate and draped bust of Antoninus Pius facing right.
Reverse: BRITANNIA COS IIII. Britannia seated facing left on rock, shield and vexillum in background; S C in exergue.
Diameter: 26mm | Weight: 12.7gms | Die Axis: 6h
RIC III: 934 | SRCV: 4296 | Cohen: 117 | BMC: 1971 | SPINK: 666
SCARCE

The bronze coins of Antoninus Pius bearing the "Britannia" reverse type have been found in considerable quantities in Britain, but are not generally recorded from Roman sites in France and Germany. The many "Britannia" issues of Antoninus Pius found in Coventina's Well, Carrawburgh, seem to have come from only a few dies, suggesting that the place of mintage for them was not far distant, though it is possible that the issue was both issued at Rome and produced locally in Britannia.
The reverse type of Britannia seated on a rock, eventually adorned Great Britain's coinage many centuries later when the design was reintroduced by Charles II in 1672.

COVENTINA'S WELL
Dedications to Coventina and votive deposits were found in a walled area, now called "Coventina's Well", which had been built to contain the outflow from a spring near the site of a Roman fort and settlement, on Hadrian's Wall. Now called Carrawburgh, the site is named as Procolita in the 5th century "Notitia Dignitatum". The remains of a Roman Mithraeum and Nymphaeum were also found near the site.

CLICK ON ENGRAVING OF COVANTINA'S WELL BELOW TO ENLARGE IT

1 comments*Alex

293cfCrispus, Caesar 317-326 AD
AE Follis
Obv: CRISPVS NOB CAES
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev: VIRTVS CAESS
Camp gate with open doors
TA crescent RL
Arelate Mint
LRBC I - (cf293-4)
RIC (VII) Arles -mauseus

354 ArlesConstantius II
LRBC I 354
RIC VII 347mauseus

356 ArlesLRBC I 356
RIC VII 3527 commentsmauseus

367 ArlesConstantine I
LRBC I 367
RIC VII 358mauseus

370 ArlesConstantius II
LRBC I 370
RIC VII 367mauseus

371 ArlesLRBC I 371
RIC VII 368mauseus

377 ArlesLRBC I 377
RIC VII 374mauseus

378 ArlesConstantine I
LRBC I 378
RIC VII 3751 commentsmauseus

391 ArlesConstantine I
LRBC I 391
RIC VII 387mauseus

73 Constantius II Constantius II. As Caesar, A.D. 324-337. AE 3 (17.98 mm, 2.16 g, 5 h). Arles, A.D. 324-325. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left / CONSTAN/TIVS/ CAESAR, in three lines; star above; SMANTA/• below. RIC 60; LRBC 1327. VF, red highlights. Ex Agora Auctions 74Sosius

73 Constantius II, Arles RIC VII 342v (added to wildwinds)Constantius II
AE18, 2.2g, Arles. 330-348 AD.

FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields, standing left and right of two standards with thin poles and small badges. Star between standards. Mintmark SCONST.

RIC VII Arles 347v. Sear (2014) 17676 EF, irregular flan

Note: Coin unique due to star placement. Added to Wildwinds in May 2011Sosius

Constantine I, RIC VII 194 ArlesObverse: IMP CONSTAN-TINVS MAX AVG - Helmeted laureate bust right, cuirassed
Reverse: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP - Two Victories facing and inscribing VOT PR on shield placed on altar type Helvetica 2d (diamond with dot in centre, in a rectangle with a dot in each corner. )
Exe: PARL Arles mint AD 318-319 = RIC VII, 194 , 19.15 mm, 2.6 g.NORMAN K

Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse, AE (Copper) Jeton struck c.1667Obverse: +LVD•XIIII•ET•MAR•THER•D•G•FRA•ET•NAV•REX•ET•REG. Busts of Louis XIV and Marie Therese facing one another. To the left, draped and laureate bust of Louis XVI facing right. To the right, draped bust of Marie Therese facing left, small crown on the back of her head.
Reverse: MAIESTATI•AC•AETERNIT•GALL•IMPERII•SACRVM+. Front view of the new Louvre Palace in Paris.
Diameter: 27.5mm | Weight: 5.7gms | Die Axis: 6
Ref. Feuardent: 13082

Struck at indeterminate mint, possibly Lisse, Netherlands
Engraved by Jean Varin or faithfully copied from his dies

The site of the Louvre was originally a fortress, built in the middle ages by King Philippe-Auguste (1165-1223). Between 1364 and 1380, Charles V (1338-1380) undertook work on this building to transform it into a castle, turning the old fort into a comfortable residence.
François I (1494-1547), known as the sovereign of the Renaissance, demolished the castle begun by Charles V and rebuilt it as the Louvre Palace and Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) had the Tuileries Palace built alongside.
Then King Henri IV (1553-1610), began further modernisations and had a large gallery built between the Louvre Palace and Tuileries Palace to facilitate movement between the seat of power and his apartments. The modernisation work begun by Henri IV was not completed until the reign of Louis XIV, and it is this that is commemorated on this jeton. It was Louis XIV who, before moving on to his work at Versailles, entrusted the development of the gardens to André Le Nôtre. But when the court of the Sun King moved to his new Palace of Versailles the Louvre Palace became somewhat run down and was occupied by a variety of intellectuals and artists who took up residence there.*Alex

Magnus Maximus, RIC VIII 26a Arles, 383-388 CE.Magnus Maximus AE2
Obverse: D N MAG MAXIMVS P F AVG, pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: REPARATIO REIPB, Emperor standing left, raising kneeling woman.
PCOM in ex. Arles mint, 21.9 mm, 4.4 g.NORMAN K

Valentinian II, AE2, Arles, Ric 20, 378-383 CE.Obverse: DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: REPARATIO REIPVB, Emperor standing front, offering hand to kneeling woman, on left hand he holds a globe with Victory on top
PCON in ex. Arles mint, 23.3 mm, 4.6 g.NORMAN K

RIC.309 Constantine I (AE3, Providentiae Avgg)Constantine I, caesar (306-307), emperor (307-337)
AE3: Providentiae Avgg (327-328, Arles mint)

bronze, 18mm diameter, 2.66 g, die axis: 7h

A/ CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; pearl-diademed head right
R/ PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG / ARLS in exergue/S|F in field; open camp gate, two turrets, no door and a star above

Ferrando II 479 (C2)

D.175 Charles the Great [Charlemagne] (denier, class 3, Bourges)Charles the Great, king of the Franks (768-840) and Holy Roman emperor (800-814)
Denier (Bourges, class 3, 781-800)

Silver, 1.18 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ [+CA]RLVS REX FR; cross pattée with a crescent in each quarter
R/ [+B]ITVRICA[S]; carolingian monogram KRLS

For the 3rd type of his coinage, Charles the Great introduced the famous KRLS monogram. This one contains all the letters of Karolvs : the consonants are clearly written at the edges and bound by a lozenge. The vowels are at the center of the monogram: A (using the upper part of the lozenge, O as the whole lozenge and V as the down part of the lozenge).
This monogram still appeared two centuries later in the coinage of Hugh Capet, first capetian king.

D.609 Louis the Pious (denier, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Denier (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 1.48 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS IMP; cross pattée
R/ META / . / LLVM

Louis' deniers correspond to his father's (Charles the Great) ``novus denarius'', whose weight is supposed to be near 1.7 g with a certain variability.

This denier is typical of Class 2 of Louis' coinage (819-822).
A circular inscription of the name of the ruler surrounds a cross pattée on the observe. The quite surprising Hlvdovvicvs initially comes from the germanic name Chlodowig ("Clovis"). This one was first transcribed to latin as Chlodowicvs. The initial C then disappeared, which explains the H at the beginning. The w(=vv) finally became a standard v, which gave Lvdovicvs (Louis). The imperial title imp is also given.

The reverse consists of the mint name, in field. The mint name may be split in 2 or 3 lines.

D.613var Louis the Pious (obol, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.74 g, 17 mm diameter, die axis 9 h

O/ LVDO / VVIC
R/ +METALLVM; cross pattée

As the value of a denier was quite important (a sheep typically cost 10 deniers during Charles the Great's reign), a smaller coin was needed. Clearly speaking, an obol is a half-denier. The carolingian coinage is typically one of silver deniers and obols. Obols and deniers were usually produced by pairs of the same kind.

Contrary to the related denier, the name of the ruler is here in the field and the mint name surrounds a cross pattée.
The absence of the imperial title made think that the coin had been struck when Louis was king of Aquitaine (before the death of Charles the Great). However there are similar obols with out of Aquitain mints. The absence of the imperial title (as well as an abbreviated name Lvdovvic instead of Hlvdovvicvs) may be due to a lack of space.

D.abs Louis the Pious (obol, class 3)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (unknown mint in the south-east of France?, class 3, 822-840)

Silver, 0.77 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 5 h

O/ +PISTIÎ›NÎ› PI; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +OPISTIÎ›NÎ› PE; cross pattée

This obol may be due to a double reverse error because of the absence of the sovereign's name and the legend repetition on both sides. However several dies were used to strike this type (I could find 3 obverse and 3 reverse dies), one side always bears 4 pellets as the other does not. One of the reverse dies is associated to the more typical obverse legend +HLVDOVVICVS I. Consequently an error does not seem to be likely. Because of hoard localizations, these obols seem to come from a single mint, in the south-east of France (Lyon, Arles?).
1 comments

RIC.15 Gratian (AE3, Gloria Novi Saecvli)Gratian, western roman emperor (367-383)
Nummus AE3: Gloria Novi Saecvli (371-376, Arles mint)

bronze, 18.5 mm diameter, 2,46 g, die axis: 12 h

A/ D N GRATIANVS AVGG AVG; pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
R/ GLORIA NO-VI SAECVLI/TCON in exergue; emperor standing facing, head left, holding labarum in right hand and resting left on a shield

Ferrando II 1629 (C4)

RIC.322 Constantine II (AE3, Virtvs Caess)Constantine II, caesar (317-337), western emperor (337-340)
AE3 : Providentiae Caess (328-329, Arles mint, 3rd officine)

bronze, 19mm diameter, 3.14 g, die axis: 12h

A/ CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
R/ VIRTVS - CAESS / TCONST in exergue, S | F in the field; gateway wide wide open doors, four turrets and a star above

D.621 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1a, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1a, 840-864)

Silver, 1.70 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 9h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ META / • / LLVM

Class 1 of Charles the Bald's coinage is made of totally different types of coins, which may reflect the state of the kingdom after 3 years of civil war and the division of the Empire.

Class 1a: mint in the field, with a linear legend
Class 1b: bust
Class 1c: city gate
Class 1d: KRLS monogram
Class 1e: temple

Coupland suggests that this particular scarce type (with META/LLVM on the reverse) had been minted from June 848, just after Charles the Bald finally defeated his nephew Pippin II for Aquitaine's control. The aim of minting a special type like this was to show a clear difference with the previsous coinage of Pippin II. A little later, Charles the Blad went on with the typical coinage of Melle (monogram ; circular mint name).1 comments

D.761 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1a, Paris)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Paris, class 1a, 840-864)

Silver, 1.69 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 7h

O/ +CÎ›R•LVS RE•X FR ; cross pattée
R/ PÎ›RI / • / Sâ—‚II

D.197 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 1a, Bourges, Aquitaine)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Obol (Bourges, Aquitaine, class 1a, 848-849 ?)

Silver, 0.80 g, 17 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX ; cross pattée
R/ AQUI / • / TANIA

The obols of Charles the Bald with AQUITANIA on the reverse are thought to have been minted in Bourges due to hoard studies. For instance, Chaumoux-Marcilly (small village near Bourges) hoard was found in 1930. It had in it 40 coins of Charles the Bald: 20 from Bourges, 17 obols with AQVITANIA, 2 from Melle and one from Orléans. This hoard is consequently supposed to be made of local coins, and AQVITANIA obols of Charles the Bald are supposed to have been minted in Bourges.

1 comments

D.725 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1c, Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier with a gate (Orléans, class 1c, 840-864)

Silver, 1.26 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée with four pellets
R/ +Î›VRE-LI-Î›INS; city gate with two pellets on sides

The gate motif goes back to Roman times and was used by early Carolingians (and Capetians later).
There is a small misprint on the reverse : +Î›VRE-LI-Î›INS instead +Î›VRE-LI-Î›NIS

D.606 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.35 g, 20.5 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +METVLLO; carolingian monogram

The KRLS monogram was first introduced by Charles' great father, Charles the Great (Charlemagne). Charlemagne's son (Louis the Pious) never used a monogram, contrary to most carolingian rulers as Charles the Bald in particular.

This is the second most common carolingian coin.

Charlemagne minted exactly similar coins (Class 3). The question of the attribution to Charles the Great or the Bald has of course been widely discussed on grounds of style, weight, composition (work of Guillaume Sarah), position of the legend... These studies didn't lead to any clear conclusion although these deniers may often be attributed to Charlemagne. New hoards have to be found to resolve this issue.
By then, these coins have to be attributed to Charles the Bald by reason of the relative number of minted coins.

D.622 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Obol (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 0.65 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ carolingian monogram
R/ +METVLLO; cross pattée

Certainly because of the lack of space, there isn't any legend with the ruler's name on the obverse but a carolingian KRLS monogram.
The attribution to Charles the Bald or Charles the Great is uncertain, like for the denier's case.

D.626 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.73 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX; cross pattée
R/ +METVLLO; carolingian monogram

This coinage with the shorter legend CÎ›RLVS REX is much rarer than the common one with the legend CÎ›RLVS REX FR. The composition of a hoard in Poitou suggests that this type can be unambiguously attributed to Charles the Bald. This coinage may have been minted at the beginning of Charles the Bald's reign, just before Pippin II took the control of Melle in 845.
Among the 12 known specimens, 5 have a deformed monogram, with the L and the S exchanging places, and on their sides. This feature, the shorter legend, as well as the unusual position of the legend opening cross on top of the monogram may suggest that there was some confusion in Melle at this time, when Charles gave back (temporarily) Aquitaine to Pippin.
The reverse is slightly double struck.

D.627 Charles II the Bald (denier ?, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle ?, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.35 g, 20.5 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX R; cross pattée
R/ +METxVLLO; carolingian monogram

The x in METxVLLO on the reverse has been widely discussed.
For instance, Depeyrot understands it as an immobilization/feudal issue. The crude style of theses deniers and the lightly degenerate legend of this one (CARLVS REX R instead of REX FR) seems in coherence with this hypothesis. However, the x is always at the same place.
Moreover, this type of coin has been found in the Brioux hoard, which may be datable to the beginning of Charles the Bald's reign. Grierson and Blackburn suggest that these coins with x were mainly minted in Poitiers. Using the legend of the close Melle mint allowed to take advantage of the reputation of Melle coinage.
Coupland proposes that this METxVLLO type came after the METVLLO type after 860 and until round 925. Then, it was replaced by the MET/ALO type. In order to explain the differences of interpretation, Coupland thinks that several hoards were wrongly dated or described.

D.1189 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1e,Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
"Temple" denier (Orléans, class 1e, 840-864)

Silver, 1.64 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +XPISTIÎ›NÎ› RELIGIO; temple

This other example of Class 1 is the continuation of Louis the Pious' temple denier. XPISTIANA RELIGIO is then most often replaced by the mint name.
Although this is not the case for this specimen, the mint attribution is very clear. It is Orléans, because of the exaggerated S of XPISTIANA and the first I of RELIGIO is in the angle of the L.

D.762 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1e, Paris)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
"Temple" denier (Paris, class 1e, 840-864)

Silver, 1.70 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 4h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +PÎ›RISII CIVITÎ›S; temple

The mint's name (Paris) stands in for the usual legend XPISTIANA RELIGIO. The royal authority may have been quite weak in the beginning of Charles' reign, and each mint may have been tempted to make a clear legend to characterize its own coinage.

D.726 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1e, Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
"Temple" denier (Orléans, class 1e, 840-864)

Silver, 1.53 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 9h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +Î›VR-ELI-Î›NIS; temple

D.375 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Courcessin?)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Courcessin?, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.43 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +I.CVRTISÎ›SONIEH; cross pattée

In 864, Charles the Bald promulgated the edict of Pîtres, huge reform whose aim was to protect the kingdom from Viking raids. It also reinforced royal authority on minting, and created a new type of deniers . The new coins could be only struck at 10 mints (Palace, Chalon sur Saône, Melle, Narbonne, Orléans, Paris, Quentovic, Reims, Rouen and Sens). This limitation had never been applied, more than 110 mints struck the new coinage. This can be understood as a lack of control of the central autority. However it seems that several mints shared dies... Grierson and Blackburn proposed that only 10 main mints produced dies and partially outsourced coinage production ?
On the obverse is written GRATIA D-I REX (GDR) around a carolingian monogram. The alliance with Roman Church goes on... The reverse already existed for Class 1, with the mint name around a cross pattée.
Class 2 of Charles' coinage is made of these GDR deniers.

The precise localization of the mint in Normandie (north of France) is still not clear. According to Grierson and Blackburn, Courti(s) Sasonien(sis) may come from some groups of Saxons settled in northern part of Gaul.

D.727 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Orléans, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.80 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITÎ›S; cross pattée

This is another typical example of Class 2 (GDR type).
Cenabum was a gallic stronghold of the Carnute tribe. It was conquered and destroyed by Caesar in 52 BC, and then maybe rebuilt by the emperor Aurelian. This may be the origin the city's name.

D.750 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Palace Mint)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Palace Mint, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.77 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 2h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +PÎ›LÎ›TINÎ› MONE; cross pattée

D.811 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Quentovic)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Quentovic, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.64 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 6h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +QVVENTOVVCI; cross pattée with 2 globules

This is another typical example of Class 2 (GDR type).

D.399 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Dijon)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Dijon, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 0.91 g, 19.5 mm diameter, die axis 2h

O/ +C[RATIA] D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +DIVIONI C[AST]RE; cross pattée

This is another less common example of Class 2 (GDR type).

D.880 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 2, Rouen)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR obol (Rouen, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 0.73 g, 14 mm diameter, die axis 10h

O: +CRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX;carolingian monogram
R: +ROTVHÎ›CVS CIVI; cross pattée

Obol of GDR type

D.559 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Le Mans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Le Mans, class 2, 864-875 or end of the 8th/beginning of the 10th century)

Silver, 1.42 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O: +G I RÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R: +CINOMÎ›NIS CIVITÎ›S; cross pattée

Due to the degenerate legend and monogram, this coin may be an immobilization.

D.198 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 3, Bourges)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877) and Holy Roman Emperor (875-877)
Denier (Bourges, class 2, 876-877)

Silver, 1.47 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS IMP Î›VG; cross pattée
R/ +BITVRICES CIVIT; carolingian monogram

In 875, after the death of his nephew, the Emperor Louis II, Charles received the imperial crown.
The related coinage clearly shows the imperial title in a roman way, IMP AVG. This coinage may be undistinguishable from the one of Charles the Fat (885-887), when he assumed West Francia kingship (before being chased by Eudes, count of Paris and next king of the Franks).

D.1007 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 3, Toulouse)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877) and Holy Roman Emperor (875-877)
Denier (Toulouse, class 2, 876-877)

Silver, 1.59 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 7h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS IMP R- ; cross pattée
R/ +TOLOSÎ›+CIVI ; CA / RL in the center

The presence of the name of the sovereign on the reverse is quite rare for carolingian coins. This is also the case for Toulouse deniers of Charles the Bald's Louis II (or grandson Louis III) with LV / DO.

This coinage is also sometimes attributed to Charles the Fat.1 comments

Dy.243 Charles IV (the Fair): maille blanche, 1st emissionCharles IV, king of France (1322-1328)
Maille blanche, 1st emission (03/02/1324)

Silver (798 ‰), 1.82 g, diameter 22 mm, die axis 2h
O: inner circle: +kAROLVS(diamond)REX; cross pattée; outer circle: BHDICTV⋮SIT#8942nOmÐ„⋮DHI⋮nRI
R: inner circle: +FRANChORVm*; châtel tournois; outer circle: a circlet of 10 fleur-de-lis

The h of FRANChORVm is characteristic of the first emission.

Charles was the younger and third son of former king Philip the Fair. He was consequently not supposed to rule. However, as his two brothers successively died without any living son, he became king in 1322. Six years later, he also died without a male heir. So ended up the capetian senior line in 1328.
The legend began then... Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, had cursed King Philip the Fair and his descendants from his execution pyr in 1314. Was the curse finally efficient ?
Charles'cousin, his nearest parent, became then king of France as Philip VI.

Dy.243A Charles IV (the Fair): maille blanche, 2ond emissionCharles IV, king of France (1322-1328)
Maille blanche, 2ond emission (07/1324)

Silver (798 ‰), 1.74 g, diameter 21-22 mm, die axis 10h
O: inner circle: +(spade)kAROLVS REX; cross pattée; outer circle: BHDICTV⋮SIT(ring)nOmÐ„⋮DHI⋮nRI
R: inner circle: +FRANCORVm(ring); châtel tournois; outer circle: a circlet of 10 fleur-de-lis, the top one being between 2 dots, which is characteristic of the 2ond emission

Dy.243D Charles IV (the Fair): maille blanche, 3rd emissionCharles IV, king of France (1322-1328)
Maille blanche, 3rd emission (07/23/1326)

Silver (718 ‰), 1.64 g, diameter 22 mm, die axis 11h
O: inner circle: +kAROLVS(square)RE•X•; cross pattée; outer circle: BHDICTV⋮SIT(ring)nOmÐ„⋮DHI⋮nRI
R: inner circle: +FRANCORVm; châtel tournois; outer circle: a circlet of 10 fleur-de-lis, the top one being between 2 dots

The RE•X• on the reverse is characteristic of the 3rd emission. Most of the time, the top fleur-de-lis is also surrounded by two dots, similarly to the 2ond emission.

Dy.244C Charles IV (the Fair): double Parisis, 3rd emissionCharles IV, king of France (1322-1328)
Double parisis, 3rd emission (07/24/1326)

Billon (319 ‰), 1.10 g, diameter 20 mm, die axis 3h
O: +kAROLVS REX(clover); crown with fleur-de-lis and a small ring below
R: +mOnETA DVPLEX; cross with fleur-de-lis

2 comments

D.1155 Louis II the Stammerer (denier, Visé)Louis II the Stammerer, king of the Franks (877-879)
Denier (Tours)

Silver, 0,79 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS REX; KRLS monogram of Charles (legend beginning at 10h)
R/ +IN VICO VIOSÎ›TO; croix pattée

The KRLS (Karolus) monogram appears on this coinage of Louis II. One can imagine that there hadn't been much time to think about a new monogram just after Charles II's death.

Louis II was physically quite weak and died 2 years after his father Charles II. His reign was consequently very short.

D.1041 Louis III (denier, Tours)Louis III, king of the Franks (879-882)
Denier (Tours)

Silver, 1.78 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +IIISIRICORDIÎ› DI REX; Louis' monogram (legend beginning at 3h)
R/ +HTVRâ—ŠNES CIVITAS; croix pattée

Louis III became king of West Francia at 16 after his father Louis II died quite young. As he was the only living son of Charles II, Louis II had inherited the full kingdom of West Francia from his father. At opposite, when Louis II died, his sons Louis III and Carloman II divided the kingdom into a northern part for Louis III and a southern part for his brother Carloman II. During his reign, Louis III (in alliance with his brother) achieved military successes, especially against Vikings. However, Louis III's reign didn't last long. Louis III died inadvertently at 19 while chasing a girl on his horse. He hit violently the lintel of a door with his head.
Louis III's coinage is hard to distinguish from Louis II's. Both bear the same name et both reigns were very short. Three kinds of coins can be found:
* coins with legend LVDOVICS REX and a KRLS monogram : these coins have been found for northern and southern mints and are consequently given for Louis II;
* coins with a LVDOVICVS monogram ; they have only been found for the northern mints, and are consequently supposed to be Louis III's;
* coins of Toulouse with LV/DO, imitating the ones of Charles emperor with CA/RL. The attribution to Louis II seems to be straightforward due to the southern position.
The legend of the coin is different from the traditional Gratia di Rex, but still shows a religious origin. However its success remained very limited, with some scare coins of Louis III and Eudes. 3 comments

RIC.351 Rome commemorative (AE3, Vrbs Roma, Arles)Rome commemorative
AE3 (330-331, Arles mint, 2ond officine)

bronze, 17 mm diameter, 2.30 g, die axis: 6 h

A/ VRBS ROMA; helmeted and mantled bust of ROMA, left
R/ She-wolf with twins, two stars above, [S]CONST* in exergue

Ferrando II 958 (C3)

RIC.368 Rome commemorative (AE3, Vrbs Roma, Arles, branch)Rome commemorative
AE3 (331-332, Arles mint, 1st officine)

bronze, 18 mm diameter, 2.53 g, die axis: 7 h

A/ VRBS ROMA; helmeted and mantled bust of ROMA, left
R/ She-wolf with twins, two stars above and a branch between, PCONST in exergue

Ferrando II 960 (C3)

RIC.373 Rome commemorative (AE3, Vrbs Roma, Arles, wreath)Rome commemorative
AE3 (332-333, Arles mint, 1st officine)

bronze, 18 mm diameter, 1.97 g, die axis: 6 h

A/ VRBS ROMA; helmeted and mantled bust of ROMA, left
R/ She-wolf with twins, two stars above and a wreath between, PCONST in exergue

Ferrando II 962 (C3) 1 comments

RIC.abs Rome commemorative (AE4, Vrbs Roma, Arles, X)Rome commemorative
AE4 (339-340, Arles mint)

bronze, 14 mm diameter, 1.44 g, die axis: 6 h

A/ VRBS ROMA; helmeted and mantled bust of ROMA, left
R/ She-wolf with twins, two stars above, X between them, PCON in exergue

The exergue may be PCON or PCONST. The lack of space and the dots on the visor of the helmet suggest it is rather PCON.

Ferrando II 979 (R1)

RIC.29a Magnus Maximus (AE4, Spes Romanorvm)Magnus Maximus, usurpor (383-384), western roman emperor (384-388)
Nummus AE4 : Spes Romanorvm (383-388, Arles mint)

bronze, 12 mm diameter, 1.40 g, die axis: 5 h,

A/ D N MAG MAXI-MVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
R/ SPES RO-MA-NORVM / PCON; open camp-gate with star between its two turrets

RIC.29a
NBD.55515
Ferrando II 1677 (C2)

RIC.26a1 Magnus Maximus (AE2, Reparatio Reipvb)Magnus Maximus, usurpor (383-384), western roman emperor (384-388)
Maiorina pecunia AE2 : Reparatio Reipvb (383-388, Arles mint)

bronze, 23 mm diameter, 4.23 g, die axis: 5 h

A/ D N MAG MAXI-MVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
R/ REPARATIO-REIPVB / PCON in exergue, C in the field; emperor standing facing left, with right hand raising kneeled turreted woman, and holding Victory on globe in left hand

RIC.IX 26.a.1(C)
Ferrando II 1669 (C4)

RIC.26a2 Magnus Maximus (AE2, Reparatio Reipvb)Magnus Maximus, usurpor (383-384), western roman emperor (384-388)
Maiorina pecunia AE2 : Reparatio Reipvb (383-388, Arles mint)

bronze, 21 mm diameter, 5.04 g, die axis: 1 h

A/ D N MAG MAXI-MVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
R/ REPARATIO-REIPVB / SCON in exergue, C in the field; emperor standing facing left, with right hand raising kneeled turreted woman, and holding Victory on globe in left hand

RIC.IX 26.a.2(C)
Ferrando II 1670 (C4)

D.163 Eudes (denier, Blois)Eudes, king of the Franks (888-898)
Denier (Blois)

Silver, 1.59 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ +MISERICORDIÎ› DE-I; monogram
R/ +BIESIÎ›NIS CÎ›STRâ—Š; cross pattée

Eudes was not a Carolingian. As count of Paris, he obtained successful results against the Viking attacks. He was then chosen by frankish noblemen to be the king. The legitimate heir Charles III the Simple was then too young to rule.

This type of coinage is a very Carolingian one.
Eudes made his own monograms. This one is quite elaborate, with â—ŠDO above and RX below. Still on the obverse, the inscription is Misericordia Dei instead of the traditional Gratia Dei Rex. These two features (monogram and legend) make this coin very similar to Louis III's coins of Touraine (Blois and Tours mainly).

D.740 Eudes (denier, Orléans)Eudes, king of the Franks (888-898)
Denier (Orléans)

Silver, 1.77 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 10h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D TI; Eudes'monogram R / â—ŠDâ—Š / EX (inverted E) (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITAS; cross pattée

Contrary to Charlemagne and Charles the Bald, Eudes seems to have had some problems to choose a monogram or to explain to all mints how it had to look like...

D.733 Rudolph (denier, Orléans)Rudolph (or Raoul, Radulf), king of the Franks (923-936)
Denier (Orléans)

Silver, 1.27 g, 18 mm diameter, die axis 6h

O/ +CRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; monogram RDFS (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITÎ› cross pattée

This monogram is clearly an imitation of the tradition KRLS Charles' one. As often in Orléans' coinage, the I after an L in Avrelianis is in the angle of the L.

D.308B Rudolph (denier, Château-Landon)Rudolph (or Raoul, Radulf), king of the Franks (923-936)
Denier (Château-Landon)

Silver, 1.16 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 4h

O/ +CRÎ›TIÎ› D-I; odonic monogram of Rodolf (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +CÎ›STIS LIÎ›NDNI; cross pattée

The R on the top of the monogram and the F below are for Rodulfus. The 2 lozenges on the sides may come from Eudes' monogram (Oddo). Eudes was the brother of Rudolph's father-in-law... sort of family alliance against Carolingians (although Rudolph's aunt had been married to Charles the Bald...). The I and the X are more mysterious.

According to Dumas, this coinage may have been struck after Rudolph's dead, by Hugues the Great, his brother-in-law... family business still.
1 comments

Charles II the Bald (denier, Melle, immobilization)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, 10th century)

Silver, 1.15 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX R; cross pattée (S retrograd)
R/ MET / . / ALO

Not really a type that can be attributed to Charles the Bald... this type was immobilized and struck from the middle of the 10th century to the end of the 11th century ! Minting was then totally in the hands of of the counts of Poitou and out of control of the royal administration.
The obverse is similar to previous coinage, but with a retrograd S on most of the specimen. On the contrary, the mint name (in the field on the obverse) had never been used by Charles the Bald (METALO instead of METALLVUM).

(0317) CRISPUS317 - 326 AD
struck 317 AD.
AE 17.5 mm 3.25 g
O: CRISPUS NOB CAES, laureate, draped bust facing right.
R: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS, Mars standing right, chlamys over right shoulder, holding scepter in right hand, leaning on shield.
R S in fields
ARLES MINT, (rare) cf. RIC VII 132-133
laney

(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD (as Caesar)
337 - 361 AD (as Augustus)
AE 17 MM
O: DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG; BUST R
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; SOLDIER SPEARING FALLEN HORSEMAN REACHING BACK, D IN LEFT FIELD; SCON IN EXE
ARLES MINTlaney

(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD (as Caesar)
337 - 361 AD (as Augustus)
AE 17 mm 2.14 g
O: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG diademed draped cuirassed bust right
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO soldier advancing left and spearing a fallen horseman; M in left field
Arles mintlaney

(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD (as Caesar)
337 - 361 AD (as Augustus)
AE 18.5 mm max. 1.96 g
O: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
R: FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, helmeted soldier to left, shield on left arm, spearing fallen horseman who is wearing Phrygian helmet, turning to face soldier and extending right arm.
D in left field; SCON in exe.
Arles mint; cf RIC VIII Arles 215
laney

(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD (as Caesar)
337 - 361 AD (as Augustus)
AE 17.5mm 1.89 g
O: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG diademed draped cuirassed bust right
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO soldier advancing left and spearing a fallen horseman; SCON in exe.
Arles mintlaney

(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD (as Caesar)
337 - 361 AD (as Augustus)
AE 16.5 mm, 2.21 g
O: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG diademed draped cuirassed bust right
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO soldier advancing left and spearing a fallen horseman; M to left of soldier; SCON in exe.
Arles mintlaney

(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD (as Caesar)
337 - 361 AD (as Augustus)AE 15 mm, 1.47 g
O: CONSTANTI-VS PF AVG laurel + rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
R: VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN two Victories standing facing each other, each holding wreath & palm; pellet/NA" in center
Exerge: PARL
RIC VIII Arles 78laney

(0333) CONSTANS333 - 337 (as Caesar)
337 - 350 AD (as Augustus)
AE 17.5 mm 2.11 g
O: CONSTANS P F AVG Bust right
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO Emperor standing left holding phoenix on globe in right hand and chi-rho standard in left, on prow of galley piloted by Victory; SARL pellet in exe.
Arles mintlaney

(0335) DELMATIUS335 - 337 AD
AE 16.5 mm 1.64 g
O: FL DELMA TIVS NOB C Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
R: GLOR-IA - EXERC-ITVS Two soldiers standing facing, heads confronted, each holds a spear in outer hand and rests inner hand on shield, flanking a labarum (Christogram standard)
PCONST in ex
Arles mint
RIC VII 399; very scarce (RIC R3)
laney

(0355) JULIAN II THE APOSTATE (as Caesar)Caesar: 355 –360
Augustus: 360 -- 361.
Sole Augustus: 361 –363
AE 18.5 mm max. 1.92 g
O: DN IVLIAN-VS NOB CAES
R: FEL TEMP R-EPARATIO, emperor spearing fallen horseman, M in center, PCON or TCON in ex.
Arles mintlaney

(0367) GRATIAN--REPARATIO (ARLES)367 - 383 AD
AE 22.5 mm 5.59 g
O: DNANGRATIANVS P F AVG, DIAD DR CUIR BUST R
R: REPARATIO REIPVB, GRATIAN STANDING HOLDING VICORY ON GLOBE AND RAISING KNEELING FIGURE
PCON IN EXE
ARLES MINTlaney

(0367) GRATIAN--REPARATIO (ARLES)367 - 383 AD
AE 24 mm 4.03 g
O: D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, DIAD DR CUIR BUST R
R: REPARATIO REIPVB, GRATIAN STANDING R OFFERING HAND TO KNEELING FIGURE
PCON IN EXE
ARLES MINTlaney

(502a) Roman Republic, L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, 90 B.C.Silver denarius, S 235, Calpurnia 11, Crawford 340/1, Syd 663a, VF, rainbow toning, Rome mint, 3.772g, 18.5mm, 180o, 90 B.C. obverse: laureate head of Apollo right, scorpion behind; Reverse naked horseman galloping right holding palm, L PISO FRVGI and control number CXI below; ex-CNA XV 6/5/91, #443. Ex FORVM.

A portion of the following text is a passage taken from the excellent article “The Calpurnii and Roman Family History: An Analysis of the Piso Frugi Coin in the Joel Handshu Collection at the College of Charleston,” by Chance W. Cook:

In the Roman world, particularly prior to the inception of the principate, moneyers were allotted a high degree of latitude to mint their coins as they saw fit. The tres viri monetales, the three men in charge of minting coins, who served one-year terms, often emblazoned their coins with an incredible variety of images and inscriptions reflecting the grandeur, history, and religion of Rome. Yet also prominent are references to personal or familial accomplishments; in this manner coins were also a means by which the tres viri monetales could honor their forbearers. Most obvious from an analysis of the Piso Frugi denarius is the respect and admiration that Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi, who minted the coin, had for his ancestors. For the images he selected for his dies relate directly to the lofty deeds performed by his Calpurnii forbearers in the century prior to his term as moneyer. The Calpurnii were present at many of the watershed events in the late Republic and had long distinguished themselves in serving the state, becoming an influential and well-respected family whose defense of traditional Roman values cannot be doubted.

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi, who was moneyer in 90 B.C., depicted Apollo on the obverse and the galloping horseman on the reverse, as does his son Gaius. However, all of L. Piso Frugi’s coins have lettering similar to “L-PISO-FRVGI” on the reverse, quite disparate from his son Gaius’ derivations of “C-PISO-L-F-FRV.”

Moreover, C. Piso Frugi coins are noted as possessing “superior workmanship” to those produced by L. Piso Frugi.

The Frugi cognomen, which became hereditary, was first given to L. Calpurnius Piso, consul in 133 B.C., for his integrity and overall moral virtue. Cicero is noted as saying that frugal men possessed the three cardinal Stoic virtues of bravery, justice, and wisdom; indeed in the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae, a synonym of frugalitas is bonus, generically meaning “good” but also implying virtuous behavior. Gary Forsythe notes that Cicero would sometimes invoke L. Calpurnius Piso’s name at the beginning of speeches as “a paragon of moral rectitude” for his audience.

L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi’s inclusion of the laureled head of Apollo, essentially the same obverse die used by his son Gaius (c. 67 B.C.), was due to his family’s important role in the establishment of the Ludi Apollinares, the Games of Apollo, which were first instituted in 212 B.C. at the height of Hannibal’s invasion of Italy during the Second Punic War. By that time, Hannibal had crushed Roman armies at Cannae, seized Tarentum and was invading Campania.

Games had been used throughout Roman history as a means of allaying the fears
of the populace and distracting them from issues at hand; the Ludi Apollinares were no different. Forsythe follows the traditional interpretation that in 211 B.C., when C. Calpurnius Piso was praetor, he became the chief magistrate in Rome while both consuls were absent and the three other praetors were sent on military expeditions against Hannibal.

At this juncture, he put forth a motion in the Senate to make the Ludi Apollinares a yearly event, which was passed; the Ludi Apollinares did indeed become an important festival, eventually spanning eight days in the later Republic. However, this interpretation is debatable; H.H. Scullard suggests that the games were not made permanent until 208 B.C. after a severe plague prompted the Senate to make them a fixture on the calendar. The Senators believed Apollo would serve as a “healing god” for the people of Rome.

Nonetheless, the Calpurnii obviously believed their ancestor had played an integral role in the establishment of the Ludi Apollinares and thus prominently displayed
the head or bust of Apollo on the obverse of the coins they minted.

The meaning of the galloping horseman found on the reverse of the L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi coin is more complicated. It is possible that this is yet another reference to the Ludi Apollinares. Chariot races in the Circus Maximus were a major component of the games, along with animal hunts and theatrical performances.

A more intriguing possibility is that the horseman is a reference to C. Calpurnius Piso, son of the Calpurnius Piso who is said to have founded the Ludi Apollinares. This C. Calpurnius Piso was given a military command in 186 B.C. to quell a revolt in Spain. He was victorious, restoring order to the province and also gaining significant wealth in the process.

Upon his return to Rome in 184, he was granted a triumph by the Senate and eventually erected an arch on the Capitoline Hill celebrating his victory. Of course
the arch prominently displayed the Calpurnius name. Piso, however, was not an infantry commander; he led the cavalry.

The difficulty in accepting C. Calpurnius Piso’s victory in Spain as the impetus for the galloping horseman image is that not all of C. Piso Frugi’s coins depict the horseman or cavalryman carrying the palm, which is a symbol of victory. One is inclined to believe that the victory palm would be prominent in all of the coins minted by C. Piso Frugi (the son of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi) if it indeed signified the great triumph of C. Calpurnius Piso in 186 B.C. Yet the palm’s appearance is clearly not a direct reference to military feats of C. Piso Frugi’s day. As noted, it is accepted that his coins were minted in 67 B.C.; in that year, the major victory by Roman forces was Pompey’s swift defeat of the pirates throughout the Mediterranean.

Chrestomathy: Annual Review of Undergraduate Research at the College of Charleston. Volume 1, 2002: pp. 1-10© 2002 by the College of Charleston, Charleston SC 29424, USA.All rights to be retained by the author.
http://www.cofc.edu/chrestomathy/vol1/cook.pdf

There are six (debatably seven) prominent Romans who have been known to posterity as Lucius Calpurnius Piso:

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi: (d. 261 A.D.) a Roman usurper, whose existence is
questionable, based on the unreliable Historia Augusta.

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus: deputy Roman Emperor, 10 January 69 to15 January
69, appointed by Galba.

Lucius Calpurnius Piso: Consul in 27 A.D.

Lucius Calpurnius Piso: Consul in 1 B.C., augur

Lucius Calpurnius Piso: Consul in 15 B.C., pontifex

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus: Consul in 58 B.C. (the uncle of Julius Caesar)

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi: Moneyer in 90 B.C. (our man)

All but one (or two--if you believe in the existence of "Frugi the usurper" ca. 261 A.D.) of these gentlemen lack the Frugi cognomen, indicating they are not from the same direct lineage as our moneyer, though all are Calpurnii.

Calpurnius Piso Frugi's massive issue was intended to support the war against the Marsic Confederation. The type has numerous variations and control marks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Calpurnius_Piso
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/indexfrm.asp?vpar=55&pos=0

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

2 commentsCleisthenes

0004 Valens - AE 3Arelatum
25.2.364 - 24.8.367 AD
pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N VALEN_S P F AVG
Valens advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum
GLORIA RO_MANORVM
OF _ II
CONST
RIC IX Arles 7d, type ii(b)
2,1g 15mmJ. B.

001. Vrbs Roma Arles RIC VIII Arles 38 R2
1 commentsecoli

001. VRBS ROMA ArlesRIC VII Arles 373 R4
ecoli

002. CONSTANTINOPOLIS arlesRIC VIII Arles 38 R3

ecoli

002. CONSTANTINOPOLIS arlesRIC VII Arles 369 R3

ecoli

004. Constantius II Arles Two VictoriesRIC VIII Arles 72 C2
ecoli

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