Two Important Pepin Deniers

CNG 96, Lot: 1047. Estimate $10000. Sold for $8500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CAROLINGIANS. Pépin 'le Bref' (the Short). King of the Franks, 754/5-768. AR Denier (18mm, 1.09 g, 3h). Uncertain mint, possibly St. Denis. Large R : P; above, pelleted macron; pellet below R; triple pellets below P / (ΛVT)/ TOΔ ••/N(diamond O) in three lines between two pelleted bars. Cf. Depeyrot 892/2; cf. M&G 47; cf. Gariel, pl. I, 1-7; cf. Prou 2-4; MEC 1, 720 (all refs. for type). Near EF, old collection tone. Well struck on a broad flan.

Pepin was the first Carolingian king and was an extremely successful ruler, suppressing revolts and firmly establishing his family in a position of unquestioned power until, with the approval of Pope Zachary, he deposed the last of the Merovingians, Childeric III, and took over the throne.