France (843-64) denier
This specimen was lot 4981 in Künker sale 441 (Osnabrück, March 2026), where it sold for €160 (about US$220 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANKREICH/KAROLINGER, Karl der Kahle, 843-877. Denar, Melle. + CARLVS REX FR Kreuz//+ MET + VLLO Karolusmonogramm. Hübsche Patina, vorzüglich. Aus der Sammlung Jürgen und Erika Schmidt, Bovenden. Exemplar der Auktion Teutoburger Münzauktion 124, Borgholzhausen 2019, Nr. 1804. (kingdom of France, Charles the Bald, 843-77, denier, Melle mint. Obverse: cross with mintname around; reverse: king's monogram. Handsome patina, extremely fine.)"
This design was originally struck by Charlemagne and used into the reigns of Charles the Bald and Charles the Simple. The monogram and temple coinage were dumped in 864 in favor of the "GRATIA D-I REX" type which usually has "CIVITAS" followed by the mintname on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.7 g, silver, 20 mm diameter, this specmen 1,66 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-0981, M./G. 1064; Depeyrot 627.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Frühjahrs-Auktion 441: Orders and Decorations from the Estate of Wilhelm, Duke of Bavaria (1752–1837), among others | Coins and Medals from the Middle Ages and Modern times, particularly Denmark, Habsburg, Norway, and Saxony, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2026.
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