Denier Bracteate - Burchard I

Historical Context: This Denier Bracteate was issued under Burchard I, Count of Mansfeld, during his rule from 1183 to 1229. This period in the High Middle Ages saw the consolidation of territorial principalities within the Holy Roman Empire. Mansfeld, a county in Saxony, gained prominence, and Burchard I played a significant role in regional politics. Bracteates, characterized by their thin, single-sided fabric, were the dominant coinage type in Central Europe, reflecting the decentralized minting rights held by numerous secular and ecclesiastical lords.

Artistry: While the specific engraver remains anonymous, typical for coinage of this era, the design reflects the prevailing Romanesque aesthetic transitioning towards early Gothic styles. Mansfeld bracteates of Burchard I commonly feature a stylized bust of the count, often facing right or left, sometimes holding a cross or lily scepter. The design is rendered in a simplified, yet expressive manner, encircled by an abbreviated Latin legend identifying the ruler or mint. The artistry, though constrained by the medium, aimed for clear legibility and symbolic representation of authority.

Technical/Grading: As a bracteate, this coin's technical qualities are defined by its inherent manufacturing process. High-points susceptible to wear or strike weakness typically include the nose, crown, and any raised facial features of the bust, along with the outer rim of the legend. Bracteates frequently exhibit characteristic strike anomalies such as off-center impressions, uneven pressure resulting in areas of both strong and weak strike, and occasional flan cracks due to their extreme thinness. The 0.53 gram weight is typical for these silver issues, indicating a careful, albeit often imprecise, minting process.