CAROLINGIANS. Louis 'le Pieux' (the Pious), as Emperor Louis I, 814-840. Denier (Silver, 20 mm, 1.69 g, 6 h), Metallum (Melle). Class I, 814-819. HLVDOVVICVS IMP AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Louis I to right, seen from behind. Rev. ✠ METALLVM around implements of coin minting: pair of dies, flanked on either side by mallet. Coupland, Money 3. Depeyrot 607. MEC 1, 758. M&G 396. Very rare. An attractive example of this important issue with a highly interesting reverse. Light marks and minor edge scuffs, otherwise, very fine.

The highly interesting reverse of this important early Carolingian portrait issue shows the coining implements with which coins were produced: an obverse and a reverse die, and two mallets. As such, the type is reminiscent of the Roman Republican denarius of T. Carisius from 46 BC (Crawford 464/2), depicting the dies, a mallet, and tongs on the reverse.