Louis the Pious (814-840)

AR denier, 20mm, 1.76 gr. Obv: +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, central cross, no besants. Rev: +XPISTIANA RELIGIO, central temple with dot in the pediment. Mint is possibly Treves (Trier). 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. Overall, it is likely this is a Trier coin. Ex. Peter Woodward Collection.