Royal Issue of Clothaire III

CNG 108, Lot: 795. Estimate $15000. Sold for $18000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MEROVINGIANS, Royal issues. Clothaire III. As King of Neustria and Burgundy, 655-673. AV Tremissis (12.5mm, 1.20 g, 12h). Paris mint. Wandelenus, moneyer. LOTHΛVIVS RE+, diademed and draped bust right / + VVΛNDELENO M +, cross ancrée set on globe. NM 30; Belfort 6304; MEC 1, –; BnF Côte 537 (same dies). Near EF, light toning in devices, traces of earthen deposits, a couple of hairline flan cracks. Extremely rare royal issue.

Clothaire III has the historical distinction of being the first of the rois fainéants, or ‘do-nothing kings,’ of the Merovingian Dynasty. Although this may be true of his final years, the earlier part of his reign was quite busy, although Clothaire relied on both his mother and trusted advisors to rule on his behalf. The son of Clovis II, Clothaire succeeded his father while still a child. Consequently, a regency formed under his mother, Balthild. Subsequently, Clothaire’s chief advisor and defacto ruler, Erchinoald, mayor of the palace. Upon Erchinoald’s death, the Frankish nobles chose Ebroin, a man who proved himself to be a violent despot. Although Clothaire tried to exert some real authority when achieved adulthood in 669, it was too little. His premature death in the spring of 673 only worsened the situation.