Denier Bracteate

Émetteur Gotha, City of
Année 1409-1425
Type Standard circulation coin
Valeur 1 Denier
Devise Pfennig
Composition Silver
Poids 0.33 g
Diamètre
Épaisseur
Forme Round (irregular)
Technique Hammered (bracteate)
Orientation
Graveur(s)
En circulation jusqu’à
Référence(s) Bonh#1322
Description de l’avers Two crowns on top of each other. On the edge GOTHA.
Écriture de l’avers
Légende de l’avers
Description du revers Blank.
Écriture du revers
Légende du revers
Tranche
Atelier
Tirage ND (1409-1425) - -
ID Numisquare 1034118460
Informations supplémentaires

Historical Context: This Denier Bracteate, issued by the City of Gotha (1409-1425), exemplifies the decentralized monetary landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. Gotha, a prominent Thuringian city, exercised its Münzrecht amidst declining imperial authority and ascendant regional powers, notably the Wettin dynasty. Bracteates, characteristic of medieval German coinage, were thin, single-sided silver issues, serving as low-denomination regional currency. Their design facilitated frequent recoinage, a key mechanism for seigniorage.

Artistry: The artistry of Bonh#1322 reflects the utilitarian aesthetic of late medieval German regional coinage. Engravers for such anonymous workshop productions are unnamed; the style prioritizes clear legibility of the central motif (e.g., civic emblem, Thuringian lion) over intricate detail. The single-sided, anepigraphic nature of bracteates necessitated bold, schematic designs, conducive to rapid striking and widespread circulation. Signatures are uniformly absent, consistent with period minting practices.

Technical/Grading: Given its 0.33 gg silver specification, this bracteate's extreme thinness makes preservation critical. High-points for Bonh#1322 include the clarity and completeness of the central design, often compromised by weak or off-center strikes. Absence of significant cracks, tears, or folds in the fragile flan is paramount. Retention of the original flan shape, free from severe trimming or damage, also significantly enhances appeal. Surface integrity, without excessive corrosion or hornsilver, is crucial.

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