9th century A.D. Viking Danegeld Carolingian Silver Denier of Louis the Pious

Description

This is a good Carolingian silver Denier of Louis the Pious, minted between 822 - 840 A.D.
Obverse:
+ HLVDOVVICVS IMP
Cross cantoned with four bezants.
Reverse:
XPISTIANA RELIGIO
Tetrastyle temple with a triangular pediment summed by a cross, a cross in the center.
The first payment of Danegeld to the Vikings in West Francia took place in 845 when, under Ragnar Lothbrok, they tried to attack Paris. The Viking army was bought off from destroying the city by a massive payment of nearly six tons of silver and gold bullion. At the time of Ragnar's famous raid, this coin would have (at the very latest) spent around 5 years in circulation, thus displays very little wear. Most of the coins from the Danegeld were melted into bars, ingots, silver bracelets and chopped as hack-silver for use in a bullion economy.
This is a nice example of a Carolingian denier, in good excavated condition.
DENOMINATION:
Denier
CULTURE:
Carolingian
DATE:
822 - 840 A.D.
MATERIAL:
Silver
SIZE:
20mm diameter
WEIGHT:
1.6 grams
ATTRIBUTION:
Prou.1016 var. (23/1016 var.) - MG.472 - MEC.1 / 794 - N.5
This coin is unconditionally guaranteed be an original and
to date from the period described. A certificate of authenticity will be supplied on request.