How to Identify the Merovingian Gold Tremissis

What the Coin Is

The gold tremissis, from the Latin for "one-third," was the primary gold coin struck by the Merovingian dynasty, which ruled the Frankish kingdoms across much of Gaul from the late 5th through mid-8th centuries. It represents one-third the weight of the late Roman and Byzantine gold solidus, continuing that earlier imperial monetary standard into the early medieval period.

Obverse Design & Inscription

The obverse typically shows a stylized bust in profile, often diademed or helmeted, closely imitating earlier Roman or contemporary Byzantine imperial portrait types, though rendered with increasingly simplified, sometimes crude linework as Merovingian die-cutting diverged from its classical models. A legend runs around the border, frequently blundered or partially unreadable Latin, sometimes naming a Byzantine emperor's title in name only, or later, increasingly naming a local moneyer or issuing authority instead.

Reverse Design & Inscription

The reverse commonly features a cross, whether plain, on steps, or on a globe, or a stylized victory figure descended from Roman and Byzantine reverse types, again with a surrounding legend. On many Merovingian issues, particularly later ones, this legend names both the local mint place-name and the moneyer responsible for striking the coin, a distinctive feature of the decentralized Merovingian minting system in which many local moneyers across hundreds of mint sites struck coinage in the king's name or sometimes in their own name.

Size, Weight, Metal, Edge

The tremissis is struck in gold, with weight generally around 1.3 to 1.5 grams, and a diameter of roughly 12-14 mm, reflecting its status as a fractional gold denomination rather than a full solidus. The edge is plain and irregular, typical of hand-struck early medieval coinage, and the gold purity and color can vary somewhat as the period progressed and gold sources became less standardized.

Mint Marks & Where to Find Them

Unlike coinages with a distinct symbol-based mint mark system, Merovingian tremisses generally spell out both the mint place-name and the moneyer's name directly within the legends, though frequently in abbreviated, blundered, or locally spelled Latin that can be difficult to parse. Careful comparison of legend fragments against known Merovingian mint and moneyer name lists is often necessary to pin down a specific issue.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

Compared to genuine Byzantine solidi and tremisses, Merovingian issues generally show cruder, more simplified portrait style and legends that are blundered or substitute local names rather than presenting a coherent, correct imperial title. Distinguishing between the hundreds of different Merovingian mint and moneyer combinations relies almost entirely on careful legend reading, since the overall obverse and reverse design types repeat across many different local issues.

Judging Condition & Authenticity

Look for legible legend fragments and reasonably clear central design elements, since heavily worn or poorly struck examples can make attribution to a specific mint and moneyer difficult or impossible. Be cautious of examples with a gold color or weight inconsistent with genuine tremisses, casting bubbles or seams suggesting a cast forgery, or legend combinations of mint and moneyer names that don't correspond to any documented genuine pairing, which can indicate either a fantasy piece or a modern reproduction.