SOLD The word bracteate (from the Latin bractea, meaning small piece of metal) is used to indicate two kinds of objects: gold medals worn as jewelry during the 5th to 7th centuries AD, and small silver coins used by German-speaking peoples in the early medieval period, commencing circa 1130 in Saxony and Thuringia. "The bracteates were usually called back regularly, about once or twice a year, and could be exchanged for new coins with a deduction (Renovatio Monetae). This system worked like a demurrage: People wouldn't hoard their coins, because they lost their value. So this money was used more as a medium of exchange than for storing value. This increased the velocity of money and stimulated the economy." - Wikipedia As medieval silver coins became thinner and thinner, they reached a point at which the devices of the two dies would interfere with each other on impact. A solution was found in striking very thin coins with one die of high relief, against a soft material such as leather or lead, that would absorb the impact of the die and result in an incused reverse of the obverse design. The high relief of the striking die would give the coin a certain amount of stiffness and strength. Here is a bracteate of Wilhelm von Montfort, abbot of Gallen: Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) with cruciform standard and banner. Lamb of God is a title used for Jesus, which originates in the Gospel of John, when John the Baptist exclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John I: 29) There are many types of bracteates that have survived to the present day, despite their fragility. The Renovatio Monetae, which regularly took them out of circulation, likely contributed substantially to their survival rate. The Lamb of God types of Montfort, however, are quite rare. Buyer’s price analysis: CNG has sold only a few of these, presumably on account of their rarity. This one sold for $125, which only grades Fine. This one sold for $100 before buyer’s fees and is also in a lower grade. This one sold for $62 before fees, is also in F with unsightly surfaces. Another F that sold for $110 before fees, and this VF coin that sold for $110 before fees - a very nice example, but some of the edge has chipped off. The coin I’m offering is the best of the bunch - completely intact, as struck, with pleasing color. Originally sold by Spink and Son of London, this coin will be shipped in its jewelry box for added protection, although these coins feel much sturdier in hand than you would expect. Still, handle with care - this will be the thinnest coin in your collection! $89 shipped, PM me if interested. SWITZERLAND, Sankt Gallen (Abtei). Wilhelm von Montfort. 1281-1301. AR Bracteate (17mm, 0.3 g). Struck 1295-1301. Obv.: Agnus Dei standing left, head right; cruciform banner behind; all within linear border; beaded circle around Rev.: Incuse and reverse of obverse. Reference: HMZ, Schweiz 1-475a; Bonhoff 1820-1; Kestner 2574; Reichmann 2204; de Wit 2453.
