France (864-77) denier
The first specimen was lot 45832 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Carolingian. Denier, ND (840-877). Palatin (Palace) Mint. Charles "the Bald" (as Charles II, King of West Francia). UNCIRCULATED. Obverse: + GRΛTIΛ D-I REX, Karolus monogram; Reverse: +PALATINA MONET, cross pattee. Due to a thin planchet crack from 7 o'clock to 8 o'clock along the rim, this piece cannot safely be encapsulated by PCGS or NGC; thus it must be SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS. However, aside from this issue it is in quite Choice condition and exceedingly attractive, with beautiful toning and full luster throughout. An overall exceptional example of this SCARCE type." Roberts[2] notes,
"In 864, a new coinage was authorized by the Edict of Pitre, and earlier types were withdrawn. The new coins bear the KRLS monogram and the inscription GRATIA D-I REX (GDR). The Edict explicitly limited production to 10 mints but, oddly. the coins exist with over 120 different mint names."
The palace or palatine mint (PΛLΛTINΛ MONE+) was likely the mobile mint that traveled with the king. The second specimen was lot 45403 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $317.20. The catalog description[3] noted, "FRANCE. Carolingian. Le Mans. Denier, ND (840-77). Charles The Bald. PCGS AU-55. From the Ray Garrison Collection." The mintmark is "CINOMANIS CIVITAS". The third specimen was lot 45405 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $195.20. The catalog description[3] noted, "FRANCE. Carolingian. Denier, ND (864-75). Rennes Mint. Charles "the Bald" (as Charles II, King of West Francia). ABOUT UNCIRCULATED. From the Empire State Collection." The mintmark is "H REDONIS CIVITAS".
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the first specimen 1.16 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-1531; Depeyrot-750. The second specimen is Depeyrot-559; MG-905, Roberts-1411. The third specimen is Dep-856; M&G-1045, Roberts-1423.
- [2]Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
- [3]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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