France (650) tremissis
This specimen was lot 373 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €6,500 (about US$8,951 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MÉROVINGIENS, AV tremissis, vers 650, Huy (Choae). Monétaire Rigoaldus. D/ +CHOE FICITI+ B. stylisé, diad. à d., les cheveux hérissés. R/ + RIGOΛL VS Croix sur une base, dans laquelle un globule. Extrêmement rare. Variante non répertoriée, sans pendants à la croix au revers. Provient de la collection Clauet, vente Crédit de la Bourse, Paris, 26 avril 1993, 31. Très Beau. (Merovingian Dynasty, gold tremissis, circa 650 AD, Huy mint, Rigoaldus moneyer. Obverse: stylized diademed bust right, hair standing on end; reverse: a cross on a base, below, a pellet. Extremely rare. Unlisted variant, without pendants on the cross on the reverse. Very Fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 374 in the same sale, where it sold for €4,200 (about US$5,784 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MÉROVINGIENS, AV tremissis, vers 650, Maastricht. Monétaire Adelbertus. D/ +TRIECTO FIT+ B. stylisé, diad. à d., les cheveux hérissés. R/ AΔELBERTVS M Croix sur une base. En dessous, un globule entouré de points. Très rare. Fine fêlure du flan. Légèrement ébréché. Provient de la collection Motte, vente Bourgey, Paris, 12 novembre 1951, 103 et de notre vente 67, 15 septembre 2001, 996. Très Beau. (Merovingian Dynasty, gold tremissis, circa 650 AD, Masstricht mint, Adelbertus moneyer. Obverse: stylized diademed bust right, hair standing on end; reverse: cross on base, below, a pellet surrounded by dots. Very Fine, planchet crack, slightly chipped.)"
The Merovingians ruled Gaul and southwest Germany until their overthrow in 751 by Pepin the Short, the first Carolingian king. The realm was partitioned among family members numerous times and it is usually difficult to attribute a coin to a particular ruler, especially since, as in this case, no ruler is cited on the coin. Huy is today in Belgium and Masstricht is in the southernmost part of the Netherlands.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, the first specimen 1,14 g. The second specmen 1,22 g.
Catalog reference: The first specimen is Belfort 1548 (same dies); Prou 1207 var.; Pol, (1995), p. 197, fig. 6 var. The second specimen is Belfort 4462; Prou 1188; Pol, (1995), 197, fig. 6.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
Link to:
- France (660-75) tremissis, Merovingians, Quentovic mint
- Coins and currency dated 650
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)