Denier Bracteate - Swietopelk II the Great Gdańsk mint

Świętopełk II ruled Gdańsk Pomerania for nearly five decades, spending much of that time in open conflict with the Teutonic Knights and the Piast dukes of Greater Poland. His minting activity was itself a political act — issuing coinage was a ducal prerogative he exercised aggressively to assert independence from both neighbors. Bracteates of this type, struck on wafer-thin planchets, are characteristic of the Baltic region's adoption of the north German bracteate tradition in the thirteenth century.

Surviving examples are fragile almost beyond handling. At 0.19 g, the metal is barely there.