Lot 298
Charles the Bald (843-877). Silver Denier (1.72g). Paris mint. + CARLVS RE +FR, cross pattee. Rev. + PARISII CIVITAS, temple portico (MG 827). In PCGS holder graded AU 50. Value $500 - UP
Under the terms of the Treaty of Verdun (843), Charles II "the Bald" and his warring older brothers, Louis the German and Lothair I, formally divided the Carolingian Frankish kingdom between them. Charles II became the king of West Francia (roughly equivalent to modern France), but made himself so unpopular that when Louis invaded his kingdom in 858, Charles was unable to raise an army and had to flee to Burgundy. He was only able to return to the throne after the bishops of West Francia refused to crown Louis the German as king. The reign of Charles the Bald was troubled not only by conflict with his brother, but by frequent revolts in Aquitaine and Brittany as well as by the depredations of the Vikings. The latter actually besieged and sacked Paris in 845 and compelled Charles II to pay significant sums to purchase safety from the raiders on later occasions. The Viking threat to Paris and other settlements in his kingdom finally led Charles to improve the mobility of his army with the addition of the cavalry units that later evolved into the French chivalry of the high Middle Ages. He also ordered the erection of fortified bridges on all rivers in order to more easily defend them against the Norseman.
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