| Adelchis: denier | |
|---|---|
| |
| +LVDOVVICVS INP, cross potent on steps | +ANGILBERGA NP, baptismal cross |
| AR Denier (1,13 g), in the name of Louis II and Angilberga. | |
The coinage of Adelchis, prince of Benevento, constitutes a special chapter in the Lombard coinage of Benevento and bears witness to the political changes that took place during his principality. The period in which Adelchis minted runs from 854, when he became prince of Benevento, to 878; his coinage is centered on the denier, a silver coinage that became widespread in Europe following Charlemagne's rise to power.
The fortunes of Adelchis' principality are linked to a remarkably turbulent historical period, punctuated by wars in which Emperor Louis II was involved. The latter tried to place the principality within his own sphere of power, but Adelchis, after many vicissitudes, managed to retain control of it. These events are reflected and represented by the various types that followed one another in the issues: at first with the presence of Adelchis' name alone, then Adelchis' name with the emperor's name next to it, later without Adelchis' name but with the emperor's name, either alone or with his wife, and finally with Adelchis' name flanked by that of the pope, John VIII.