World Silver France - 10th-11th c. Denier, Carcassonne PCGS AU55

FRANCE, Provincial. Carcassonne (comté). 10th-11th centuries. AR Denier + CIDVI+TΛTI(horizontal S), O above ◊; – to left; + to right / + CΛRCΛ(horizontal S)ONΛ, cross pattée. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe –; cf. Duplessy, Feodales 1512-3 cf. Poey d'Avant 8; cf. Roberts 4233.

PCGS has graded one as AU55 with none finer.

The coinage of Carcassonne started at the conclusion of the 10th century, around 980-1000. The viscounts of Beziers were also the viscounts of Carcassonne due to the marriage of Raymond I (1002-1012) to Garsinde, the viscountess of Beziers and Agde. Raymond Trencavel II was the final viscount of Carcassonne and Beziers (from 1209 to 1247) during the Cathar heresy. He was dispossessed of Carcassonne by Simon de Montfort in 1209, and ceded his two viscounties to Louis IX, the King of France, in 1247.

The seal of Raymond II Trencavel, who was the last viscount of Carcassonne and Beziers. Image: Wikimedia Commons.