The importance of coinage in the Carolingian world

Abstract

The dramatic recent increase in the number of Carolingian coin finds offers significant new insights into the political, social and economic history of the period. Coins were produced in larger numbers, circulated more widely, and were used more commonly than has been assumed, though not in all regions. There was thus a range of regional economies which themselves changed over time. Many finds can be linked to trade, both long-distance and local. A remarkably high degree of political and economic control is evident under the empire, but broke down in the 840s, and was only restored in West Francia.Coins were the most common written objects in the Carolingian world, in the words of a recent book, 1 but their significance as historical evidence has often been underappreciated by historians and archaeologists. In the last twenty years, and particularly the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of coin hoards and single finds from the Carolingian era, leading to significant new insights into the political, social and economic history of the period. The aim of this article is to set out:1

Review of periodical literature for 2022: (i) 400–1100

“…Simon Coupland re‐assesses the role of coinage in the Carolingian world following the discovery of a number of coin hoards and single finds over the last 20 or so years. The evidence suggests that there was a steady increase in the number of coins in circulation during the reigns of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious, which reversed after 840.…”