bavarikon4UDenar Papst Eugens II. im Namen Kaiser Ludwigs des Frommen
Description
Obverse legend: LVDOVICVS IMP (Ludovicus Imperator); Monogram of the city of Rome, double pearl cycle on the outside, in between circular legend.
Reverse (legend): SCS PETRVS (Sanctus Petrus); LVDOVICVS IMP (Ludovicus Imperator); Papal monogram of Eugene II, double pearl cycle on the outside, in between circular legend
This coin issued by Pope Eugene II (824-827) is one of the earliest known numismatic testimonials left by a pope. It was created during his brief pontificate in the years between 824 and 827, and the design, weight and silver content of Eugene’s II coins are strongly inspired by those of Emperor Ludwig the Pious. This is explained by the fact that Ludwig the Pious had become the patron of the pope and of the Vatican state and was also named as the master of the mint on the pieces. The pope, however, appeared only with the monogram of his name on the front and the monogram of the city of Rome on the back. Historically, Pope Eugene II is mainly important due to the Constitutio Romana, which he had concluded with Emperor Lothar I (817-855). In this treaty, the election of the pope was regulated and placed under imperial supervision. In addition, no pope was allowed to be crowned and consecrated, unless he had previously sworn allegiance to the emperor. This regulation was not fundamentally changed until the eleventh century, before and during the investiture controversy.