German States (Brunswick-Lüneburg): silver bracteate of William Longsword, ca. 1195-1213

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by lordmarcovan, Jul 8, 2020.

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How interesting/appealing do you find this coin, whether or not you're an expert? (1=worst, 10=best)

  1. 10

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%

  2. 9

    6 vote(s)
    30.0%

  3. 8

    6 vote(s)
    30.0%

  4. 7

    1 vote(s)
    5.0%

  5. 6

    1 vote(s)
    5.0%

  6. 5

    1 vote(s)
    5.0%

  7. 4

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  8. 3

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  9. 2

    1 vote(s)
    5.0%

  10. 1

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    German States (Brunswick-Lüneburg): silver bracteate of William Longsword, ca. 1195-1213
    01-Bracteate-frame.png
    Obverse: lion passant, left.
    Reverse: incuse mirrored image of obverse.
    Issuer: William of Winchester, Lord of Lüneburg (aka "William Longsword").
    Specifications: silver, 21.5 mm, 0.54 g.
    Grade: PCGS AU55, cert.#40724034.
    Reference: Numista-106982 (other references cited there).
    Provenance: ex-Münzenhandlung Brom, Berlin, Germany, 8 July 2020.* Purchased raw.
    Notes: a bracteate was a uniface coin hammered with a single die upon a thin sheet of metal, which reproduced the same design on both sides; raised on one side and reversed and incuse on the opposite side. Bracteates (hohlpfennige, or "hollow pennies") were a regional medieval coin that circulated in many German-speaking lands from the 12th to 14th centuries.
    Comments: This was my first bracteate. Prior to its purchase, I had struck out at least three times in my attempts to win one at auction. I finally bought this one at retail instead. I like it for its simple yet suitably medieval-looking lion motif (William was the son of Henry the Lion), and its appealing old cabinet toning. I also like that it's from one of the German Brunswick (Braunschweig) regions, since I'm from Brunswick (Georgia, USA).

    01-Bracteate-frame.png 02-Bracteate-Trueview.png 03-Bracteate-black.png 04-Bracteate-gradient.png 05-Bracteate-white.png 06-Bracteate-slab.png

    028189S
     
    lordmarcovan, Jul 8, 2020
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  3. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Per the Wikipedia article:
    Below: an imaginative 19th century painting of William of Winchester.

    William_of_Winchester.jpg
    Image: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2021
    lordmarcovan, Jul 8, 2020
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  4. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    What a splendid addition to your collection, @lordmarcovan ! I very much love the lion, the toning, and the strike of your coin.

    As you know, I'm primarily a bracteate collector myself, and I would consider your coin an example that would look good in pretty much every medieval collection.

    Below are some of my own current favorites – your new coin is equal to the best of them:
    MA – Deutschland etc., Fulda, Heinrich IV, Brakteat.png
    Abbey of Fulda, under Heinrich IV. von Erthal, AR bracteate, ca. 1249–1261 AD. Obv: Abbot seated facing holding palm branch and book; in Gothic polylobe and double pearl border; around outer rim; H-V-H-V. 29mm, 0.52g. Ref: Berger 2293. Ex “HC Collection;” ex CNG, e-auction 459, lot 579.

    MA – Deutschland etc., Halberstadt, Gero von Schermbke, Brakteat, Hlg. Stephan.png
    Bishopric of Halberstadt, under Gero von Schermbke/von Schochwitz, AR bracteate penny, 1169–1177 AD. Obv: + S–STEPHANVSPROTOMARTI; bust of St. Stephen facing between three stones and star. Rev: negative design. 25mm, 0.83g. Ref: Berger 1324; Slg. Bonhoff 483. Ex Münzenhandlung Löchte (Rheine); ex Teutoburger Münzauktionen, auction 125, lot 1978.

    MA – Deutschland etc., Magdeburg, Moritzpfennig 1586, Reliquie.png
    Archbishopric of Magdeburg, under Albrecht von Käfernburg, bracteate penny, ca. 1220–1232. Obv: OICI – IVSDV; St. Maurice, nimbate and wearing armour, standing facing, holding cross and lance flag; below, church building with two towers an an arch; inside, cranium relic. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 23mm, 0.68g. Ref: Berger 1586; Slg. Hauswaldt 167; Slg. Bonhoff 712. Ex WAG.

    MA – Ungarn, Bela IV, Brakteat.png
    Kingdom of Hungary, under Bela IV (or Bela III?), AR bracteate denár, 1235–1270 AD (or 1172–1196 AD?). Obv: BE-LA REX; three bearded heads in a triangle. Obv: negative design (bracteate). 15mm, 0.28g. Ref: Huszár 200. Ex CNG, e-auction 466, lot 762.
     
    Orielensis, Jul 8, 2020
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  5. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Thank you. That's a relief to hear from a bracteate collector, since, as mentioned, this was my first.

    I really love how they just look so... so... medieval. Thank you for posting that group.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jul 8, 2020
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  6. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    I'm glad you were able to get one. You have made some really nice purchases recently.
     
    Chris B, Jul 8, 2020
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  7. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    That's a great coin! I love it. The design is awesome and the toning is attractive too.
     
    kazuma78, Jul 8, 2020
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  8. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Definitely an area I know very little of, but it's a nice little coin. I like it.
     
    Mat, Jul 8, 2020
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  9. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Well, I can't claim to know a whole ton about 'em, either. This is only my first one, after all.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jul 8, 2020
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  10. ddddd

    ddddd Member

    9...something I've never seen before but really like the look...nice purchase!
     
    ddddd, Jul 8, 2020
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  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    I voted 9 as well.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jul 8, 2020
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  12. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    That was my vote too!
     
    kazuma78, Jul 8, 2020
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