1. The silver solidus. 2. 1⁄3 silver solidus (Tremissis). 3. The denarius. 1 gold solidus = 3 1⁄3 silver solidi = 40 denarii. 1 silver solidus = 12 denarii
Under the system of the Eastern Empire the gold solidus had weighed 85 1⁄3 grs. and under the Merovingian Kings 70 1⁄2 grs. Under the rule of the Second House a considerable alteration took place. Charlemagne adopted for the basis of his system the East Frank or Rhenish libra, which was one-fourth heavier than the Roman libra adopted by the Merovings. His denarius accordingly weighed 32 grs. If ideally constructed the system, as far as silver is concerned, would be this—
12 denarii = 1 solidus. 20 solidi = 1 libra. 32 × 20 × 12 = 7680 grs. = 1 libra.
As far as the more precious metal is concerned, the gold solidus was, as a matter of fact, hardly to be met with under the second race. But, theoretically, it was still considered equal to 40 denarii.
40 × 32 = 1280 grs. 1280⁄12 = 106.6 grs. for the gold solidus.
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But there are some actually met with containing 132 grs.
Sols d'or as a reminiscence