Catalog
| Issuer | Dorpat, Bishopric of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1248-1346 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Hohlpfennig |
| Currency | Denier (1224-1346) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.13 g |
| Diameter | 12 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered (bracteate) |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Haljak II#474 |
| Obverse description | Crossed sword and key with star to the left, the right, and above, all surrounded by a ring of dots. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Uniface (brakteat). |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | Smooth. |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1248-1346) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 7033993920 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This Denier Bracteate, issued by the Bishopric of Dorpat between 1248 and 1346, represents a crucial period in the Livonian Confederation. As a prince-bishopric, Dorpat wielded significant ecclesiastical and temporal power amidst regional conflicts with Novgorod and the Teutonic Order. The coin's anonymous nature underscores the institutional authority of the bishopric rather than individual prelates, reflecting the era's focus on established church power in a volatile geopolitical landscape. This type was vital for local commerce in a burgeoning trade hub.
Artistry: The design features a prominent sword pointing right, a key positioned left and downwards, and stars placed left, right, and above. This symbolic iconography, common in early medieval numismatics, likely alludes to the Bishopric's dual spiritual and temporal authority, with the key representing St. Peter and the sword signifying temporal power or defense. As a bracteate, the single-sided design is characteristic of the period's minting practices, reflecting a local stylistic school prevalent in the Baltic region, often with simple, direct engraving.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this minute coin weighs 0.13 grams and measures 12 millimeters in diameter, consistent with bracteate production. Key high-points for wear assessment include the hilt and blade of the sword, the intricate details of the key's bit, and the points of the stars. Due to the thin flan inherent to bracteates, these coins often exhibit a broad and sometimes uneven strike, susceptibility to bending, and ghosting on the reverse, which are typical technical qualities for this Haljak II#474 reference.