Carolingian Empire, Louis the Pious (814-840), AV solidus, 816 (?), Aachen (?). Of the highest rarity. One of the finest Carolingian coins, of the greatest historical interest. Of exceptional quality, by far the best of the four known specimens, the third from this pair of dies.
The engraving on this spectacular solidus is clearly inspired by Roman art, the quality of the portrait being as good as the best representations found on the deniers featuring the busts of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious. The location of the mint place has been a subject of controversy. It is very likely the mint of the palace in Aachen, given the ceremonial and imperial nature of the coin. Similarly, its dating is not established with certainty. Grierson (M.E.C. I, p. 329) and Sarah (RBN 2014, p. 28-29) believe that this emission was intended to celebrate the imperial coronation of Louis the Pious by Pope Stephen V in Reims, in October 816, the reverse type indicating that the imperial crown depicted is a divine gift (munus divinum). For Morrison, the reverse legend would apply to the cross and not to the crown, which would relate this issue to the synod held in Paris in 825, which condemned any mark of disrespect towards the Cross. G. Sarah only identifies three specimens that he considers to be part of the official issue of 816, coming from two pairs of dies: those from the Royal Library of Belgium, from the National Library of France, and from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, originating from the Grierson and the Motte collections. All three specimens have been mounted, two are preserved in ancient mounts, presumably to serve as brooches. All other known specimens are of poorer style and should be considered as later imitations. According to Grierson, other authors consider that type 3 was also part of the official emission for the coronation. The analysis of the title by specific weight yielded a result of 98% pure gold, very close to that of the Brussels specimen (97.4%).
Carolingian Empire, Louis the Pious (814-840), AV solidus, 816 (?), Aachen (?). Estimate:
50.000,00 EUR
