THE LOMBARDS
Cunipert I, 680-700
Tremissis 680-700, AV 1.37 g. DN CVN – INCPE RX Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r.; before head, hand. Rev. SCSMI – MAHIL St. Michael standing l., holding lond cross and shield. BMC Vandals 1 var. (before head D). Bernareggi 17-20. Arslan 36. MEC I, 320 var. (before head M).
Very rare. Good very fine
Cunipert was the son of king Perctarit and was co-ruler from 680-688. After the death of his father, he fought against the revolt of the duke Alahis of Trent. The battle of Coronate in 689 sealed Cunipert’s control over his reign and obtained definitive peace with the Byzantines. He was a Catholic. Probably the new Lombard’s coinage, with St. Michael on the reverse, was the result of his faith and it might well reflect his victory at Coronate.