Archaeology UK - Early Medieval Gallery

Gold Coins

Merovingian Tremisses - circa 650 AD

Comments on the coins below by Mr Gareth Williams of the British Museum

Both the coins are Merovingian tremisses of the 7th century AD, one of which has a small gold plug attached to it to bring it up to a weight which matches the other.

The precise dating of the two coins is problematic.

The legend on one is completely illegible, while the other has an inscription which states that it was produced 'in the palace'.

The relative chronology of the Merovingian gold series is most clearly established by metallurgical analysis, and this has not yet been undertaken, but there is no doubt from the style of the coins that they were made in the 7th century, probably some time around the middle of the century.

Tremiss 1 (enlarged)

Comments on the coin by Mr Gareth Williams of the British Museum

"This coin might represent two different minting authorities. One side is fairly clearly 'In the Palace', while the other , which is less clear, might be 'In the School'. The School was a separate minting authority within the royal court, and might also be situated 'in the Palace', but I have not been able to trace another example of the two authorities appearing together on the same coin. That makes it very interesting academically."

obverse	reverse

Tremiss 2 (enlarged)

This coin has a small gold plug attached to it to bring it up to a weight which matches the other.

reverse	obverse

Recommended Books on Anglo-Saxon Coins

Thrymsas and Sceattas in the Ashmolean Museum Oxford Vol 1: Anglo-Saxon Gold and Silver Coinage by David Michael Metcalf.

Written by one of the UK's leading authorities on Anglo-Saxon coinage, this excellent book is informative, well illustrated and a "must have" for anyone interested in the coins and art of the Anglo-Saxon period.

Click here to read more about this book.