AR, 10mm, 1.08gr. Obv: Head. Rev: EF. Mint is Marseilles. Nemfidius, c. 710. R068v (similar obv., different rev.); MEC 558v (same as Roberts).

AR denier, 20mm, 1.67gr. Obv: +CARLVS REX FR, central cross in a circle of dots, one dot in two quadrants diagonally opposed. Rev: +DORESTADO, central (very vague) KRLS monogram. Mint is Dorstadt (Netherlands). Charlemagne's coinage goes through several distinct phases. The CARLVS REX is third in a series of four distinct types. It is also a type that became very popular with subsequent Emperor Charles', leading to some identity confusion for collectors. There are a number of Charles the Bald coins below in this style. R966v; MG100v (cites a variation with diagonally opposing dots); Depeyrot 4A (793-812), 411 (42 examples), "dans quelques cas, seuls deux globes semblent figurer sur certaines tres rare monnaies;" Belaubre 36v; not in Nouchy. This coin was damaged and was very well repaired.

AR denier, 19mm, 1.78gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross. Rev: PALA / TINAMO / NETA in three lines. Palace Mint. R1122; MG 320; Dep 743 (5 examples); Prou 8; MEC 780.

 "Louis, qui était roi d'Aquitaine depuis 781, devint empereur sans problème à la mort de son père en 814, seul fils légitime survivant. Dans la première partie de son règne, jusqu'à l'année 829, il continua l'œuvre de son père et son monnayage. La naissance de Charles d'un second mariage en 823 avec Judith de Bavière va amener ses autres fils, Lothaire, Pépin et Louis à se révolter contre lui. Il fut détrôné deux fois en 830 et 833 et le royaume resta divisé jusqu'à sa mort en 840."

Louis was a son of Charlemagne. Louis sought to maintain stability in France, which which was complicated by problems of succession and ultimately led to the partition of the country. His efforts to maintain unity failed. Lothaire (first son by his first wife and co-emperor) took control of lands from Flanders to Italy, Louis (son by his first wife) lands in Germany and Charles (son by Judith, his second wife) in western France. Charles, known as the Bald, controlled the territory through which is traced the royal French lineage. He also assumed the territory (Aquitaine) of his half brother Pepin after Pepin's death. Louis ended a broken man and was 'detrone' (dethroned). Louis was a strong supporter of the Benedictine monastic movement and the partition of the country ran counter to the interests of the increasingly political papacy, which saw itself losing influence since rule in France was spread among a number of heirs. Pierre Riche' in The Carolingians offers a good discussion of the times. For a fuller exploration of the life and times of Louis the Pious, including genealogical notes and maps of his kindom, please visit the accompanying Louis the Pious Home Page.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.67gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross. Rev: BITV/RICES in two lines. Mint is Bourges. R1086; MG 410 as B..././R...; Dep 6-B1, 177 (147 examples); MEC 766 which pictures the central reverse '.'; Nouchy LP19; not in BEL.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.67gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross in a solid circle. Rev: META/./LLVM. Mint is Melle. R1111v (does not show the  '.' separating the lines on the reverse);MG 398; Dep 6B1, 609 (11 examples); Bel 47v; Prou 715. From Roberts, "Louis the Pious redesigned the coinage in 819 and 822. Both changes involved a recall of all earlier coins and the introduction of a conspicuously different design." This coin replaced a portrait coin. Recalling previous coinage for a re-mint necessarily decreases examples of earlier coinage. This type itself was recalled  in 822.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.73gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross. Rev: NAR/BONA. Mint is Narbonne. R1116; Dep 690 (33 examples); MG 430 (less the " . " between lines; Prou 836; Gariel XVII - 85.

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AR obol, 11mm, .75gr. Obv: +LDVCSIMP, central cross. Rev: NAR/./BONA on two lines. Mint is Narbonne. R1118; MG 431 (cites 5 examples, weights between .72 - .83); Dep 7B2, 691 (4 examples); Prou 837.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.8gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross. Rev: PARISII. Mint is Paris. R1123; MG 361; Dep 6-A1, 759 (50 examples); Prou 317; Bel 44.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.31gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross. Rev: +TVRO/./NES in two lines. Mint is Tours. R1145; Dep 7-B1, 1036 (47 examples); MG 371; Prou 446; MEC 785; Bel 45.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.31g. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IIP, central cross. Rev: +VEN/ECIAS. Mint is Venice. R1158v; MG 456v (which has 'IMP,' the more typical ending of the obverse legend); Dep 1116D (271 examples); MEC 789.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.63gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross. Rev: +METALLVM, central cross. Mint is Melle. R1181; MG 400; Dep 7 E-1, 611 (11 examples); Bel 53; Prou 722; MEC 762; Nouchy LP 34.

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 AR obole, 17mm, .64gr, 2nd issue. Obv: LVDO/VVIC, on two lines. Rev: +METALLVM, central cross in circle. Mint is Melle. R1164 (although reverse is closer to 1166); MG 394; MEC 777; Dep 7:E2, 613 (10 examples); Bel 52.

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AR obole, 16mm, .63gr. Obv: LVDO/VVIC in two lines. Rev: +NETALLVHP, central cross. Mint is Melle. R1164v; Prou 710v (no P at end of legend); MG-; Gariel-; Bel-, MEC-. The reverse legend, ending in P, is not in any of these sources. Prou 710 comes closest. The obole he cites is .78gr.

AR denier, 20mm, 1.76 gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross, no besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple with dot in the pediment. Mint unknown. R1211v (this has a + on either side of the temple. It is cross referenced to Gariel 43-24 which also has a cross on either side of the temple. Dep 1067B (as Treves with the note "seules les monnaies XRISTIANA RELIGIO attribuees a Treves sont compatibisees ici."). He does not indicate the number studied and it is not possible to differentiate  this coin from the Roberts/Gariel versions.  MG- (the only coin the cite has + on either side of the temple); Prou - (whose only besantless coin matches to MG 508a which has a cross on each side of the coin, no temple); Bel -; Nouchy -. Simon Coupland (1990) says these coins which "can be attributed to Trier are primarily distinguished by the absence of pellets in the quadrants of the reverse cross." However, he goes on to say the absence of pellets is not enough (without identifying possibilities other than Trier) and Trier coins generally have "square solid lettering, the occasional inclusion of pellets in the reverse legend ... (and) solid and compact temples" and sometimes a cross on either side of the temple. This coin lacks the bracketing reverse crosses and pellets in the reverse legend.  In February 2007 Simon Coupland looked at this coin and in private correspondence indicated it is 'not the right syle' to attribute to Trier. Ex. Peter Woodward Collection.

"Denier à la légende chrétienne, c. 822-840, (Argent, 20.5mm, 1,62gr), (poids théorique 2,039 g, taille 1/240 L., pm. 1,688g.). Obv: A/+ HLVDOVVICVS IMP. (Louis empereur). Croix cantonnée de quatre besants.  Rev: R/XPISTIANA RELIGIO. (Religion chrétienne). Temple tétrastyle avec un fronton triangulaire sommé d'une croisette, une croix au centre posée sur deux degrés. Flan large et régulier. Monnaie bien centrée." Description from CGB catalogue Monnaies VIII item 1055. Louis took the mint name off his coins after 822 and standardized the coinage. These 'temple style' coins can't be identified by mint, but there are variations among them on the reverse. Roberts notes that "over 5000 specimans of this type have survived, making it the commonist in the Carolingian series." Roberts 1208;  MG 472 (the most common type. The R/MG concordance matches to R1216.); Depeyrot 8 A1 (p.41) and 1179 (sans atelier), (794 examples); Belaubre 58-60.

"La légende de revers (la religion chrétienne), inaugurée par Charlemagne, s'accompagne de la représentation d'un temple. C'est une nouvelle preuve de l'union du pouvoir politique et de l'Église inaugurée en 754 par le premier carolingien, Pépin le Bref. Un changement de taille dans les deniers intervient vers 822. Il est alors fabriqué 20 sous ou 240 deniers dans une livre de 18 onces, ce qui donne un poids théorique de 2,039 g. Ce type va être frappé pendant plus de deux siècles dans l'Occident médiéval. Le denier au temple est normalement une monnaie anonyme, sans lieu d'émission. Néanmoins, certains ateliers caractéristiques ont pu être isolés : c'est le cas de Dax, Orléans, Dorestadt, Maastricht, Trèves, Milan et Venise. Nous avons certainement affaire à un exemplaire posthume mais de bon poids (1,65 g), antérieur à la fin du IXe siècle. Ces monnaies ont été imitées par Louis le Germanique (840-876), Louis II le Bègue (877-879) ou Louis III de Saxe (876-882) ou enfin Louis III de France (879-882), sans oublier Louis III l'Aveugle (901-905)."

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.71gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple. R1201; MG 472 (R/MG concordance does not match 472 to 1201 - no MG match for R1201); Dep 8 A1, 1179 (794 examples); Bel 58-60.

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AR denier, 19mm, 1.50gr.. Obv. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple with a large cross, spikes on vertical pillars. R1201v; MG 472; Dep 8 A1, 1179 (sans atelier); Bel 58-9. MEC 794 and similar.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.51gr. Obv: HLVDOVVICS IMP, central cross, four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, temple with spikes vertical columns. R 1201v (pillar type not evident in sources); MG472v (spiked pillars not noted in any descriptions); Dep 8 A1, 1179; Bel 58v-59v.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.66gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple set high in the field. R 1201; MG 472; Dep 8-A1, 1179 (794 examples), Bel 58-60.

AR denier, 20mm, 1.72gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple set high in the field. R 1201; MG 472; Dep 8-A1, 1179 (794 examples), Bel 58-60.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.32gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple set high in the field. R 1201; MG 472; Dep 8-A1, 1179 (794 examples), Bel 58-60.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.59gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with four besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple set high in the field. R 1201; MG 472; Dep 8-A1, 1179 (794 examples), Bel 58-60.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.63gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with dots in each quadrant. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, dot in R of RELIGIO, central temple. MG 472, the most common type; Dep 8-A1, 662K (105 examples as a general type). The Series F Milan ids as "lettres plus plates, croix pattees, globes in legends);" Bel 54-58; seller Pegasi id's as "Italian style; pellet in R," and cites MEC 971v. MEC (1:217) decribes coins of Milan as with "pellets between or inside letters as privy marks, a feature peculiar to this mint and found on Louis' Classes 1 and 2."

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AR denier, 18mm, 1.35gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with elongated arms. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple. Mint is Milan. R1217 as possibly Milan; Dep 1179 as a catch all category for this type. He notes Copeland's Series F covers the Milanese coins. Prou 999 without a geographic identifier. MEC 792 as Pavia. Copeland (Money and Coinage under Louis the Pious, p. 43) argues that this type of coin is very similar to Milan, just missing the besants in each quadrant. He specifically says "it would be wrong to ascribe any particular coins in this group to Pavia or any Italian mint other than Milan," pointedly saying this particularly applies to MEC 792.

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AR denier, 19mm, 1.38gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross with elongated arms. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple. Mint is Milan. Description as previous coin. 

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.59gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central skewed temple with slanted bars under temple. Larger flange.

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AR denier, 1.6gr., 20mm. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central small cross with besants in each quadrant. The letter ‘V’ is distinctively shaped. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple with ‘.’ underneath temple. MG 483, 15 examples from four hoards. Belaubre 63v (he has a larger cross and the dot is differently (slightly) placed. This variant of Louis the Pious' class III type is not identified in Roberts, Prou, Depeyrot, Gariel or MEC. My initial thought was that this might be a northern mint, based on the location of hoard finds; possibly Quentovic based on similarity of the obverse ‘V’ with those pictured in Coupland. The XP deniers from Quentovic come with a variety of reverse dots, on either side of the temple or either side and under the temple. On the other hand, and more authoritatively, Simon Coupland suggests it is not possible to make that mint attribution for this coin, based on the dissimilarities with Quentovic. For example, this coin has a smaller cross than those he associates with Quentovic.

In a work in progress (2/2008) Coupland suggests this coin can tentatively be attributed St. Martin of Tours, following Emmerig's work on the Freising hoard. These coins are characterized "by a small to medium sized cross, sometimes with a clear gap between the inner circle of pellets and the inscription, and on the reverse a compact squarish temple with a right angled roof. The base of the roof often projects beyond the columns and the roof itself, creating a pointed gable. The lettering is small and the Vs often displays marked serifs." Coins with the dot below the temple are a subgroup in this classification. Coupland goes on to say "As Emmerig rightly observed, the stylistic similarity with Charles the Bald's temple coinage from Tours, notably the gap between the obverse legend and the central cross, makes Tours a possible mint.

Unfortunately, I don't have a good visual comparison to make. The CB temple coin from St. Martin of Tours on the Carolingian Ideale page (D1053) is not close to this description in terms of the temple roof, or this coin in terms of the reverse cross and pellets. Perhaps this collection ideale coin is misattributed. In Haertle's presentation of the Roermond hoard, there five coins (51/082-86) of CB-temple type from St. Martin of Tours. There were three temples pictured, all with sculpted pillars unlike this coin.

MG note this variant has been found in four hoards. There were examples in the Kimswerd-Pingjum I (northern Netherlands) hoard. As I read MG, they suggest 1 example while Haertle indicates three. Overall this hoard was 173 coins deposited about 840 (MG). It included coinage from LP. Lothaire I and CB. Haertle's three coins (43/004) do not match this coin. The K-P hoard's similar coins have more sculpted or contoured reverse pillars on the temple.

There was an example in the Emmen (Drenthe – NE Netherlands) hoard. The total hoard was 362 coins with 219 class III coins. It was deposited about 850 (MG), 845-855 (C). This hoard included coinage from LP, Lothaire I and CB. The hoard was found in 1871. Haertle indicates three similar coins in this hoard (42/125-127) and as pictured, all have obverse crosses with forked arms that do not match this coin. In addition 125 and 127 have sculpted or contoured pillars in the reverse temple.

MG cite with this variant is Zelzate (east Flanders), which had one example. The total hoard was 450 coins, with 289 class III deniers. MG suggest was deposited circa 840 and found in 1949. It includes coinage from LP, Lothaire I, Pippin I/II, CB and Louis the Child. Haertle dates this as 888, since there was one coin of Eudes in the hoard (86/329). This seems awful late to have all the LP XP deniers surviving. On the other hand, there are 10+ GDR deniers of CB, making this after 864. Haertle presents four temple-dot coins, 86/195, 199, 201, 203. Numbers 195, 199 and 203 all have sculpted pillars. 86/201 is the closest to this coin, in that the temple pillars are similar. The differences are the facts that the roof in 86/201 does not over hang the pillars and the M in IMP is different in both coins.

There were 12 examples in the Pilligerheck (Rhienland-Pfalz) hoard. The hoard was 1500 coins, including 1412 class III deniers. It was deposited circa 850 (MG), 855-60 (C) and included coins from LP, Lothaire I/II, Louis the German, Pippin I/II and CB. The weight of this variant ranges from 1.33gr. to 1.61g.r, placing  this coin at the heavier end of the range. This hoard was found about 1958. This hoard is not covered in Haertle and it is not possible for me to determine at the moment whether any of these temple-dot coins are similar to the coin pictured here.

Haertle cites the Yde ( originally Ide) hoard as containing a temple-dot coin but it also does not match the coin pictured here. The Yde coin (53/025) has cross arms that taper as they move to the center, unlike the solid arms of this coin. It has an obverse legends that starts LIV versus the HLV of this coin. Finally, the Ide temple is narrower than this coin.

Next step in this puzzle, look of images of the coins of this type MG cite from Pilligerheck. Look for Emmerig's 'Das Freisinger Munzschatz etc'.

AR obol, 16mm, 0.77gr.,  Fineness per thousand : +950°/oo. Obv: +NLVDOVVICVS IMP. Translation: (Louis, empereur). Description : Croix cantonnée de quatre besants. Rev: XPISTIANA RELICO. Translation : (Religion chrétienne). Description : Temple tétrastyle avec un fronton triangulaire sommé d'une croisette, une croix au centre posée sur deux degrés. Description of the condition of the coin : Flan large et régulier. Monnaie bien centrée. Petites concrétions vertes et  superficielles au revers.  Rarity level: R; Condition: TTB. Reference number in specialised litterature: CGB Monnaies IX #873 (description CGB); MG. 473; Roberts 1241; Depeyrot 8A2, 822-40, 1180 (no mint); Nouchy LP #7.

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AR obol, 16mm, .639g. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS I, central cross with four besants. Rev: +0PISTIANA RE, central cross. R1195v (obv. good match, rev. off); MG 512v; Prou 1046v; not clearly in Dep who associates the obverse legend with Aix la Chapelle and Toulouse; not in Nouchy. The unusual feature is the 'O' at the start of the reverse legend.

After Louis' death his kingdom was fought over and divided among his sons. For an overview of the battle of Fontenoy, the Treay of Verdun (843) and the Partition of Mersen (870) please visit the Fontenoy page.

AR denier, 22mm, 1.41gr. Obv: +HLOTHARIVS IMP AV, central cross. Rev: PAPIA on one line. Mint is Pavia. R1932; MG 556; Dep 7A1, 780J (31 examples); Prou 904; MEC 822 (which defines the TH as ‘ligatured’).

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.24gr. Obv: HLOTHARIVS REX, central cross with four besants. Rev: VIRIDVN[VM] CIVIS, central temple. R1942; MG 1189; Dep 9B1, 1125 (11 examples); not in Bel. The latter two sources identify this as a scarce coin.  The mint is Verdun and after the Treaty of 843 went to Lothaire (a son of Louis the Pious). After 855 it passed to his son Lothaire II. After 869 it reverted to Charles the Bald. The coin is from the Lotharingia, a territory stretching from the Low Countries to northern Burgundy.

Louis II of Italy (855-875)

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AR denier, 17mm, 1.1gr. Obv: +LVDOVVICVS INP, central cross over lines. Rev: +ANGILBERGA NP, central cross with eight rays. Mint is Benevent (It). R2013; MG 1178; Dep 10-F1, 141M (8 examples); MEC 1116; not in Prou.

AR denier, 22mm, 1.47gr. Obv: +CARLVS REX, central cross. Rev: +ARELA CIVIS, central monogram. Mint is Arles. Dep 13-01, 69 (14 examples). Depeyrot gives the dates as 876-880. MG 1423 as Charles III; Prou 862 as Charles le Gros (roi) same years; R lists 1269 as Charles of Provence but there is no coin image matching this number. Not in MEC, Bel and Nouchy. The more common Charles le Gros from Arles is CARLVS IMP. This is clearly a coin with variable attribution.

Boso (879-887

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.46gr. Obv: +BOSO CRATIA DEI, central REX. Rev: +VIENNA CIVIS, central cross. Mint is Vienne. R1881; Dep 1142 (6 examples): MG 1262; MEC -; Bel -; Nouchy -.

AR denier, 20mm, 1.25gr. Obv retrograde: +SVIISVCIVVODVIII, central cross. Rev: blundered mint name in two lines. Mint is Strasbourg. R1993; MG 1555v. MG cites Prou 52, 53, which are not close matches. Not in Dep

AR denier, 21mm, 1.28gr. Obv: +CONRADVS, central cross. Rev: +LVGDVNVS, central cross sur fronton. Mint is Lyon. R1892; MG 1683; Dep 23-A1, 531 (1513 examples); Prou 634-37.

Conrad was descended from the line of Guelf, Count of Bavaria. His father, Rudolf II (912-37) was responsible for the reunification of Burgundy. Conrad was succeeded by his son who ruled as Rudolf III.

From Cope, "..in 954 he gained a victory over the Saracens and the Magyars in a coup that might be unique in military history. When he learned that both the Magyars and Saracens were on the warpath, he sent envoys to tell the Magyars that the Saracens lay in wait for them and if they would join forces with the Burgundians they would together destroy the Saracens." He told the Saracens about a Magyar ambush and offered an alliance with the Saracens against the Magyars. When both met in battle, Conrad told both sides he would soon join them. "When he judged the that the two hostile forces had sufficiently weakened each other, the Burgundians were launched against them and both were brilliantly destroyed." (67) Abd al-Rahman was the (a?) Islamic ruler in Spain at this time and his general (?) was on the wrong side of this agreement.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.15gr. Obv: +CONRADVS, central cross. Rev: +LVGDVNVS, triangle surmounted by a cross. Mint - Lyon. R 1892; MG 1683 (last entry in the catalogue); Dep 23 937-993 A1, 531 (1513 examples); not in Bel.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.08gr. Obv: +TADERNA, central cross with besants. Rev: monogram, central diamond with center star. Mint is Orbe. R4106v (937-93) which implied immobilization. PdA 5007v, seller ID Dan 1678. The central obverse star doesn't not match the sources I have and I am not confident about this attribution.

Orbe is in the Vaud in Switzerland. It is an attractive town located on a promontory the offers a great view of the surrounding country side. There is not much Carolingian there but a marker notes some of its historical significance. The chateau was burned during the Burgundian wars in November 1475, but several towers of the chateau survived, the oldest dating from about 1233. It was constructed by Amedee de Montfaucon-Montbeliard.

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A marker at the tower recognizes the Carolingian significance of the site.  "L'an 855 vit les trois fils de Louis, heritier de Charlemagne, venir dans ses murs pour partager l'empire de Francs, en 888 Rodolphe s'y fait proclamer roi de haute Bourgogne." In 613 Merovingian queen Brunehaut made Orbe her refuge.

The South: Aquitaine and Provence
Pippin I (814-838) or Pippin II (840-52)

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.61gr. Obv: +PIPINVS REX EQ, central cross in solid circle. Rev: +METVLLO, central Pipin monogram P-IN-S-R. Mint is Melle. R1872, MG 606 as Pipin I or II; Dep 9F1, 615 (33 examples), "les tres grande majorite des monnaies de Pipin II fut frappe entre 845-848 ... Melle fut un atelier tres important." This coin is conservative in design, following Charlemagne's lead with the ruler's name on the obverse and a personal monogram on the reverse. MEC 814. Not in Bel. Seller (Claude Silberstein) id Prou 689.

"Pépin II d'Aquitaine (823-865) est le fils aîné de Pépin Ier (797-838) et le petit-fils de Louis le Pieux. Il succède à son père Pépin Ier, mort le 13 décembre 838, en s'emparant illégalement du trône et en prenant Toulouse en 843. Charles II le Chauve essaye de l'en déloger mais est obligé de reconnaître sa souveraineté sur l'Aquitaine en échange du serment de vassalité. En revanche, Pépin perd le comté de Poitiers. Les années suivantes ne sont qu'une suite ininterrompue de guerres et de trahisons. Toulouse et Poitiers sont pillées par les Normands. En 852, Pépin est livré à Charles le Chauve qui le fait enfermer à Saint-Médard de Soissons. Il s'en échappe et se révolte à nouveau contre son oncle. Les dix dernières années de sa vie, Pépin essaye vainement de reprendre possession de son royaume et meurt captif à Senlis en 865." Source: CGB Monnaies VIII 2000.

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AR denier, 20mm, 1.41gr. Obv: +PIPPINVS REX F,  central cross. Rev: +TOLOSA CI-VI, central Pippin monogram. Mint is Toulouse. R1876; MG 618; Dep9-9F1, 999 (as Pippin Rex E), 174 examples.This one is clearly Rex F. Prou 809 (as REX F); not in Bel, Nouchy.

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AR obole, 16mm, .66gr. Obv: +PPIMIVS REX, central cross. Rev: IA(inverted)QA/AII.IAT (retrograde of AQVI/TANIA). R1863v; Dep 186bv; MG 601v; MEC 812v-813v; Prou 660v; Gariel-. Mint is Bourges. No source matched the legend PPIM or the retrograde reverse. Perhaps an uncatalogued coin.

AR denier, 21 mm, 1.30gr. Obv: +IVDOVVICVS, central cross. Rev: central VI, obscured but evident legend. Mint is Vienne. R1886; MG 1575 (which lists 8 catalogued coins); Dep 16-B1, 1145v (16 examples) which actually matches to LVDVVICVS with a monogram. Not in Bel, Nouchy. This is a rare coin.

Louis of Provence was son of Boso of Provence and Ermengard. He was able to trace his Carolingian lineage through his grandfather, Louis II, who in turn was son of Lothar, in turn son of Louis the Pious.

After the death of Charles the Bald (877) the empire fragmented, beset by internal struggles among Charles' heirs, rebellious nobles and invasions on several fronts. Separate kingdoms emerged in Burgundy and Provence. Louis' father forged a Provencial kingdom after 879 and while he died an unsuccessful ruler, his son Louis was elected king in 890. Louis had political ambitions in northern Italy and succeeded in being crowned emperor in 901. However, subsequent fighting in Italy led to his capture by Berengar, a local king, who gouged out his eyes, hence the title 'Louis the Blind.' He ruled Provence for another 20 years. Source: Riche' 221-25.

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AR denier, 21mm, 1.44g. Obv: +LVDOVVICVS, central cross. Rev: +ARELA CIVIS, central KRLS monogram. Mint is Arles. R1884 as Louis the Blind; MG 1653 as Louis IV or V; Dep 16C-1, 72 (137 examples) as Louis the Blind; PdA 4790 as Louis le Begue, but with a note that others attribute it to Louis the Blind; Prou 882 as Louis the Blind. Many of these coins are apparently in a museum in Montpelier (about 125) so those in other places are scarce.

AR denier, 21mm, 1.42gr. Obv: +LVDVVICVS IMPR, central monogram. Rev: +VIENNA CIVIS, central cross. Mint is Vienne. R-;  Dep 1144 (13 examples), MG 1573; Prou 848. The reverse matches R 1881, which is Boso. Since this is a similar die type, it might argue for an earlier coin of Louis.