France (864-77) denier
This 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"In 864, a new coinage was authorized by the Edict of Pitre, and earlier types were withdrawn.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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 1.16 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-1531; Depeyrot-750.
- [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.
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