Code: 12498
This is an excavated Carolingian silver denier of Louis the Pious
Obverse ✠ HLVDOVVICVS IMP ("Louis, emperor") Cross with pellets in quarters, in a beaded circle.
Reverse XPISTIANA RELIGIO. (Christian religion) Temple with four columns on two steps surmounted by a cross, in the center of the temple a cross.
This coin has creases and light peck marks from use within Viking-held territory. Interestingly it was found in Estonia with other Viking related metalwork and bullion silver. This type of coin would have been in circulation during the Viking Seige of Paris in 845 AD, led by Ragnar Lodbrok, where the victorious Viking army took 7,000 Livres or 5,670 lb of silver as Danegeld.
DENOMINATION: Denier
CULTURE: Carolingian France
DATE: 814 - 840 AD (this coin minted between 823 - 840 AD)
MATERIAL: Silver
SIZE: 19.33mm dia
WEIGHT: 1.31 grams
ATTRIBUTION: Nouchy# 5 (p. 86), Gariel Car# XLIII/3-11 ; 14, Morrison# 472 ; 474-490 ; 492-508
PROVENANCE: Formerly in a Private Collection in Cambridge, originally found in Estonia.
