Carolingian coins often have a central design, referred to as a monogram. The most common of these are those of Charles the Bald and rulers who reissued similar coins. Charles, or CAROLVS used the monogram KRLS on his coins. In terms of a compass bearing, these letters are arranged W, N, S and E. There are a variety of styles for these monograms, with varying degrees of clarity. It is interesting to take a closer look at these monograms, which reflect differences by mint and time. While this page only pictures monograms, there are links for each monogram to a full picture of the coin and complete attribution. At the moment this page is Aristotelian, dealing with the taxonomy of monograms, rather than Platonic, offering some idea as to why they vary as they do. It is arranged loosely in a chronological sequence.

Grierson and Blackburn describe the monogram thus: "Charlemagne's monogram ... was quite literally the royal signature: the four letters KRLS would be drawn by a scribe at the bottom of a charter and the king turned them into a monogram by linking them with four strokes forming a lorenge (for O)" (MEC 199). "From the introduction of Charlemagne's class 3 onward the inscription normally started with a cross, though one not necessarily placed at the top of the coin. When a monogram is the type, indeed, the cross is frequently placed to the left, i.e., at 9 o'clock in relation to the type, since this is where one would naturally start to read the inscription." (MEC 201)

This is the clearest KRLS monogram on the site. It is an obol, a coin smaller than a denier. These obols came in several versions, usually with a letter or symbol between the 'K' and 'R.' This is the earliest of this type of obol and attributed solely to Charles the Bald. In comparison to some of the other monograms shown here, note the clarity of the 'K,' the sharpness of the 'L' and the open loop of the 'R.' This coin has a small 'v' in the center of the monogram. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's obol on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 

It is ironic that the least legible KRLS monogram is the earliest on the site, coming from Charlemagne, whose coinage originated the style. Using my imagination, I think this coin is aligned properly, with the K to the left, a lower case R at the top, a suggested S to the right and a L at the base. The monogram is aligned with the + at 9 o'clock. Full a full view of the coin and description, see Charlemagne's coin of the Carolingian page.
 
 

This is a particularly unusual monogram denier from Beauvais. It is a 'Carolvs Rex' type with a strong K and capital R at the top. Unusual is the 'L' opposite the K and an 'S' at the bottom. This reverses the traditional L and S positions, and is unique on this site. Strong central diamond. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. For a fuller view and description of the coin, see the Beauvais denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 

This denier is the 'Carlvs Rex' type from Clermont Ferrand. The monogram is has a weaker K, capital R, strong S and evident but weaker L. The letters are more compact, similar to that from Nevers (see below). Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. For a fuller view and description of the coin, see the Clermont denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

  This denier is from the Palatina (palace) mint, which was the mint that traveled with the ruler, hence tied to person rather than location. This coin is also the 'Carolvs Rex' type, predating Pitres. The monogram is not as clear as the previous coin. The 'K' is not very distinct, the 'R' is the capitalized version, 'S' and 'L' properly oriented. Alignment: + at 4 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's Palatina denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 

  This denier from Tolosa (Toulouse) has a very clear monogram with thin lettering with several distinctions from the previous obol. The 'K' is very clear, as is the 'S,' and note that the 'L' is reversed and the 'r' is lower case rather than capitalized. Alignment: + at 3 o'clock. This is a 'Carolvs Rex' type coin attributed solely to Charles the Bald. It predates the Edict of Pitres (864) which standardized Charles' coinage. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's Tolosa denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 

This denier from Amiens is generally clear, with a vaguer K with separated arms on the K, capital R. S with a broadened lower segment and capital L. The alignment is + at 6 o'clock. The central diamond has a clear dot/besant at the very center. For a full view of the coin and complete description see the Amiens denier on the Caroligian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier is from Chartres. It has a clear K, capital R with the leg blurred into the top of the S and a clear L. The alignment is + at 9 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and a complete description see the Chartres denier  on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  This denier with the Cvrtisasonien mint designation is a coin attributed solely to Charles the Bald and is of the Gratia D-I Rex type. This is an obverse that became prevalent after the Edict of Pitres in 864 and represented an effort to reform and standardize the coinage. While worn, the monogram with thin lettering is clear, with the arms of the 'K' are clear and 'S' and 'L' properly oriented. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. The 'R' is somewhat obscured but appears to be an open capitalized 'R.' For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's Cvrtisasonien denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 

This denier is from Laon. The orientation of the monogram well aligned, with the '+' at noon. The 'K' has triangular points, there is a capital 'R' and the 'S' and 'L' are well formed. Thin lettering. For a full view of the coin and attribution see Charles the Bald's Laon denier on the Caroligian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from Rouen is very clearly struck. The K is elongated and thin, the R lower case, retrograde S, and L with an extended horizontal segment. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. The central diamond is large and distinct. For a full view of this coin and complete description see the Rouen denier on the Caroligian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier is from the abbey at St. Denis, an ecclesiastical mint. This monogram is aligned with the + at noon. Most unusual is the R which has a strong top but is missing the descending leg. The S is very strong and horizontal segment of the l is extended. For a full view of the coin and attribution see CB's St. Denis denier on the Caroligian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier is from Tours. It is an immobilized coin of Charles the Bald and part of the Fecamp hoard. The K, S and L are all strong letters whereas the R is indistinct on the coin. The letters are heavy, in contrast to many of the thin letters on these coins. Alignment is such that + is at noon; in other words it is aligned vertically with the legend text. For a full description see the Tours denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 

  This denier is attributed to either Charles the Bald or Charles the Fat. It is from the Bitvrices mint, or from Bourges. It is degenerate compared to the previous coins, although it could still be a Charles the Bald coin. Note the arms of the 'K,' the gaps in both the 'R' and 'S' and the different style in the 'L.' The central diamond is broken and asymmetrical. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Fat's Bitvricescivi denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 

This denier from Nevers is attributed to either CB or Charles the Fat. The alignment is + at 9 o'clock. The K is somewhat indistinct and the R is lower case, with a strong S and L. The letter font on the coin is unlike those of most others in the collection, being smaller but strongly struck. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Fat's Nevers denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 

This denier is from Arras and has very sharp definition of the monogram letters. Note the clarity of the K, with the upper arm of the K in an unusual configuration. There is a capital R at the top, a sharp S with triangular ends, and clear L. The alignment of the monogram is such that + falls at 3 o'clock. For a full description of the coin, see the Arras denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from Blois has a weakly struck monogram, with a somewhat indistinct K, apparent upper case R, strong S and weak L. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Blois denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from LeMans is nicely strucjk with thin, distinct letters. A somewhat unusual K, capital R, clear S and L with an elongated horizontal segment. Alignment: + @ noon.  For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's LeMans denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from Melle has a strong K, what looks like a lower case R with an extended top arm, a retrograde S and strong L. Alighment is with the top + at noon. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Melle denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from Orleans has a somewhat indistinct monogram. The K is weak, R somewhat blurred but appears upper case, S clear and L indistinct. Full lettering. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Orleans denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

  This coin is from Paris. The unusual feature of this monogram is the reversed 'S.' The 'K' is strongly struck and fuller than on previous coins, the 'R' a clear capitalized version and the 'L' sharp. The center diamond is clear. Alignment: + at 6 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Paris denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier is also from Paris. It also has an alignment, with the + at 9 o'clock (I think). While the monogram is severely blurred, the rest of the coin is in better shape. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Paris denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

  This coin is from Quentovic in north western France. It is a fairly degenerate monogram. Note particularly the lack of clarity of the 'K.' The 'S' is similarly distorted, as is the central diamond. The 'L' is the clearest and 'R' appears to be the capitalized version. Alignment: + at noon. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Quentovic denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from Reims is worn but the monogram is clear. Letters are smaller and more compact, a la Nevers and central France. Weak K, capital R, clear and compact S and smaller L. Letter size is reduced because the central diamond is so large, with a dot in the center. Alignment: + at 6 o'clock. For a full description, see the Reims denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

  This Charles the Bald coin was reissued by Charles the Simple. Hence it dates between 864 and 877 in Charles the Bald's reign and 893-923 in that of Charles the Simple. This coin is from Rennes in Brittany. Note the variations in this coin. The arms of the 'K' are not clear, but are suggestive. The 'r' has a lower case style and the 'L' has a vague lower leg. This appears to be the nature of the mint strike and not wear. Thin lettering. Alignment: + at 9 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Rennes denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 

This denier is from Sens. Note the strong K, capital R with extended leg, elongated S and L with an extended leg. Alignment is with + at noon. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Sens denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier from Soissons is strongly struck, with a distinctive K, capital R, blurred S and retrograde L. Thin lettering. Alignment: + at noon. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Soissons denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This denier is from Troyes. The monogram has heavy letters, with a distinct, K, clear capital R, obscure S and L with a leg of uncertain length. Note the strong diamond in the center. Alignment is + at 9 o'clock. For a full view of the coin and attribution, see Charles the Bald's/Charles the Simple's Troyes denier on the Carolingian page.
 
 

This denier is particularly interesting in that the KRLS is not consistent with the issuer's name. Hugh Capet, in establishing a new dynasty, presumably wanted to associate himself in the eyes of the French with a strong Carolingian ruler, so chose a monogram of a ruler Charles. The monogram is not strongly struck. The K is clear, this is a weak upper case R, strong S and L. Alignment: uncertain. For a full description of the coin see Hugh Capet on the Capetian page.