Denier of Pepin the Short

The denier of Pepin the Short was among the first Frankish coins to shift from gold solidi to silver, standardizing currency in a fragmented empire.

This small silver piece, typically weighing about 1.5 grams, bore a simple cross on one side and Pepin's monogram on the other. Minted in places like Paris or Dorestad, it reflected the Carolingian push for uniformity after Pepin's 751 crowning. We know these coins circulated widely, but exact mintage figures are lost to time.

Design variations exist, some with crude lettering that hints at rushed production. That's no surprise in an era of frequent raids. As for myths, like the idea that every denier funded Charlemagne's conquests—well, let's just say not every coin was a hero.

Some specimens show evidence of clippings, where users trimmed edges for scrap, a practice that kept numismatists like me busy for decades.