Two Very Rare Early Italian Carolingian Deniers

CNG 96, Lot: 1055. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CAROLINGIANS. Berengar I (de Friuli). As King of Italy; Second reign, 905-924. AR Denier (21mm, 1.46 g, 7h). Third coinage. Papia (Pavia) mint. + ĐERENGΛRIVS R, large Christogram with pellets in angles / + +PIITIΛNΛ RELIG, PA/PIA/CI in three lines. Depeyrot 780S; M&G –; Gariel –; CNI IV 5; cf. MEC I, 1019 (for type). Good VF, toned. Very rare.

Berengar (circa 845-924) was Margrave of Friuli 874-887, King of Italy 887-915, and then Emperor from 915 to his death. During his lifetime Italy was the scene of almost constant battling and shifting alliances, along with devastating invasions by both the Saracens and the Magyars.