LOMBARDS, Lombardy & Tuscany. Aripert II. 700-712. AV Tremissis (20mm, 1.36 g, 12h). D N AR IPЄRS (Rx), pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; G to right / SCS MI HΛHIL, St. Michael standing left, holding long cross in right hand and round shield in left. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 44; Bernareggi 52; Arslan –; BMC Vandals –; MEC 1, 321. Toned, lightly creased, crack along part of crease. Fine. Rare.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 93 (24 May 2016), lot 1300.
The reverse type of the standing figure Saint Michael was introduced to the Lombardic coinage during the reign of Cunincpert (688-700). 'The explanation for the new type was apparently the king's experience at the battle of Coronate in c. 690, when it was believed that the archangel intervened in person to give him victory over his rival Alahis, who had sworn him loyalty in the church of St Michael at Pavia and then broken his oath. The type was retained by the next few rulers.' Grierson, p. 21.