The Bishopric of Bamberg was among the most powerful ecclesiastical territories in the medieval Holy Roman Empire, holding extensive secular authority granted by Henry II at the diocese's founding in 1007. Henry I of Schmiedefeld served as bishop during a period of sustained tension between imperial and papal factions, and these small bracteate-style pfennigs functioned as genuine regional currency across Bamberg's territorial holdings in Franconia.
At 0.44 grams, the flan is characteristic of mid-13th century Franconian minting practice — thin enough to take a single-sided impression cleanly.
The Bishopric of Bamberg was among the most powerful ecclesiastical territories in the medieval Holy Roman Empire, holding extensive secular authority granted by Henry II at the diocese's founding in 1007. Henry I of Schmiedefeld served as bishop during a period of sustained tension between imperial and papal factions, and these small bracteate-style pfennigs functioned as genuine regional currency across Bamberg's territorial holdings in Franconia.
At 0.44 grams, the flan is characteristic of mid-13th century Franconian minting practice — thin enough to take a single-sided impression cleanly.