Denier Bracteate - Wilbrand of Käfernburg

Wilbrand of Käfernburg's tenure as Archbishop of Magdeburg coincided with intense friction between the archbishopric and the Ascanian margraves over territorial control east of the Elbe — a struggle that made the independent coinage rights of Magdeburg a matter of political consequence, not mere economic administration. Bracteates from this region and period were struck on exceptionally thin flans, a technique that allowed the Magdeburg mint to stretch silver supplies while maintaining acceptable face value in local exchange.

The Berger references distinguish at least two die varieties for this type.