Watch List notes:

THE LOMBARDS
Aistulf, 749-756

Tremissis 749-756, AV 1.11 g. + DN AISTVL REX At centre, CRX (monogram) and cross above M. Rev. SCS – IIIII St. Michael standing l., holding long cross and shield: in r. field, cross. BMC Vandals p. 147. Bernareggi 144 var. (without M). Arslan 59 var. (without M). MEC I, –. MIR 807.
Extremely rare. About extremely fine


Ex Ratto sale 24 November 1960, 190, and Künker 38, 1997, 535 sales.
Aistulf tried to emulate Liutprand and soon conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna, trying as well to capture some Papal possessions. So the Pope, Stephen II, required the Franks' protection: he anointed Pippin III and his sons, Charles and Charlemagne, as kings of the Franks while granting them the title of Roman Patricians and protectors of Rome. Pippin forced Aistulf in two campaigns in 755 and 756 to yield up his conquests. This monogram on the obverse has been interpreted by scholars in various ways: according to Gariel it could mean Charlemagne Rex for recognising the suzerainty of the king of Franks. According to Wroth, it means Christianus Rex and for Bernareggi the monogram could be Dominus noster Rex.