Denier Bracteate - Boleslaus V the Chaste or Bolesław the Pious Kraków or Poznań mint

Historical Context:This Denier Bracteate was issued under Boleslaus V the Chaste (Bolesław the Pious), Duke of Kraków, between 1247 and 1279. This era followed the devastating Mongol invasions of 1241, marking a period of reconstruction and ducal power consolidation in fragmented Poland. Boleslaus V rebuilt his duchy. This coinage signifies the re-establishment of ducal authority and economic activity from mints in Kraków or Poznań, crucial for regional resurgence.

Artistry:Typical of Central European bracteates, the engraver remains anonymous. The stylistic school leans towards a simplified, early Gothic aesthetic. While specific design details for Kop#174 are not provided, bracteates commonly featured stylized ducal busts, crowns, crosses, or heraldic symbols. The design was impressed onto a single, thin flan, resulting in a uniface coin, a prevalent monetary form in medieval Poland.

Technical/Grading:As a bracteate, this coin is struck on a very thin silver flan, making it susceptible to weak strike, creasing, and off-centering. High-points for wear or strike weakness include the most raised elements of the central motif, like a crown's top or a bust's nose. A well-struck example shows clear details, minimal flan imperfections, and a relatively centered design. Such coins are often found bent or folded due to their delicate nature.