🏰  Carolingian Denarius of Charles II “the Bald” (840–877) 🏰 

Extremely Rare – Possibly Unpublished Type, Melle Mint

From the twilight of the Carolingian Empire comes this remarkable silver denarius of Charles II “the Bald”, son of Emperor Louis the Pious and grandson of Charlemagne. Struck during his reign as King of the West Frankish Kingdom (840–877), this coin embodies both dynastic continuity and the shifting power of the early medieval world.

⚔️ Historical Background

Charles the Bald inherited a fractured realm after the death of his father, Louis the Pious. As ruler of the West Frankish Kingdom, he faced Viking incursions, noble unrest, and the constant struggle to uphold the imperial legacy of Charlemagne. In 875, he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, further cementing his place in medieval history.

This denarius, struck at Melle (Deux-Sèvres), is of the greatest rarity and is believed to be unpublished in standard references. Its design, with a cross on both obverse and reverse, reflects the deep intertwining of Christian symbolism and royal authority in Carolingian coinage.

📐 Specifications:

Ruler: Charles II “the Bald” (840–877, Emperor from 875)

Type: Denarius

Mint: Melle Mint (Deux-Sèvres)

Weight: 1.42 g

Obverse: +CAROLVS REX, cross with a pellet in each angle

Reverse: +METALLVM, cross with a pellet in each angle

References: Gariel; M./G. (cf. 400 for Louis the Pious); Prou – likely unpublished for Charles II

Condition: Fine toning, very fine.

🌟 Significance

This coin is not only a rare Carolingian issue but also a piece of numismatic mystery. Its unusual type and probable unpublished status make it a treasure for advanced collectors of medieval coinage. Each strike of the die echoes the authority of a king who struggled to hold together the legacy of Charlemagne in a time of fragmentation and change.

✅ Authentic. A true rarity - a coin that bridges history, faith and the enduring

enigma of the Carolingian dynasty. ⚔️ 

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