Kingdom of the Lombards, Duchy of Benevento, Sico, Tremissis

When Charlemagne incorporated the Lombard Kingdom with its capital Pavia into the Frankish Empire, the Duchy of Benevento got its full independence. Duke of Benevento was at that time Arechis II, who immediately took on the tile of duke to prove his sovereignty. This tremissis was minted during the reign of one of his successors, Sico (817-832), whose "portrait" is on the obverse of the coin. The inscription is SICO PRINCES, Duke Sico. The reverse shows a crosier, together with the legend ARCHANGELVS MICHAEL (archangel Michael), and SC for Sico.