CAROLINGIANS. Charlemagne (Charles the Great). As Charles I, King of the Franks, 768-814. AV Tremissis (18mm, 1.00 g, 12h). Lucca mint. Struck after the defeat of Desiderius in 774.

Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part I
Lot: 1025. Estimated: $ 100 000

Early Medieval, Gold

Sold For $ 110 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

CAROLINGIANS. Charlemagne (Charles the Great). As Charles I, King of the Franks, 768-814. AV Tremissis (18mm, 1.00 g, 12h). Lucca mint. Struck after the defeat of Desiderius in 774. + FL (star) A VI • A (star) LVC (star) A •, six-rayed star; small leaves between rays; pellet in Vs and C / D • N CAR VLVS RЄX, facing half-length bust. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe, p. 31; Rossini 3; Bernareggi –; Bernareggi, Tremissi –; Bernareggi, Moneta, –; Depeyrot 515B = CNI IX 1 = Gariel 172 = Kluge 199; BMC Vandals –; Arslan –; MEC 1, –; E&S p. 213. A coin of great historical and iconographic interest. Areas of light toning, trace of lamination, a couple of hairline flan cracks. EF. Extremely rare.

From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins. Ex CNG Inventory 520231.

The only gold coin to bear a portrait of Charlemagne, one of the most important figures in world history. His deeds shape Europe to this day.

Following Charlemagne’s conquest of the Lombardic kingdom in 774 AD a short lived issue of gold Tremisses was struck at a range of mints across northern Italy in his name. These rare coins are all of the same star / cross potent type of the defeated Desiderius except for an extremely rare issue at Lucca that remarkably depicts the King of the Franks on the reverse. Rossini records only six specimens of the portrait issue, four of which are damaged and incomplete. Only one other example has previously appeared at auction. That coin, from the Adams collection (Triton XIX, lot 2207), realized $180,000 in 2016.

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part II will be held Wednesday morning, 15 January 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.