County of Poitou. Anonymous Immobilized Denier or Obol ND (11th-12th Century) MS65 PCGS, Melle mint, Rob-3862, Dep-630 or 631var., cf. Bailleul, "La Monnaie des Comtes de Poitou au Type MET/ALO", no. 0201F. 17mm. +LARLVS REX R, cross pattee with pronounced serifs within inner circle / MET | ΛLO in two lines, pellet in between. A very commonly misattributed type often ascribed to Charles the Simple (hence the erroneous reference number on the holder), though actually struck well after his death at Melle by the Counts of Poitou. That being said, the type is simply never encountered so nice as the present piece--virtually as-struck with thick rows of die polish lines, sharp edges to the somewhat illiterate engraving, and stained-glass tone all about the design, all suggesting that it was lost soon after it left the mint. Though called a denier on the holder, Bailleul states that this type with a diameter of 17mm and weight of c. 0.55gm is, in fact, a 1/2 denier or obol.

HID09801242017

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