Denier Bracteate - Wladyslaw III Spindleshanks or Wladyslaw Odonic Gniezno mint

Historical Context: This Denier Bracteate, struck 1202-1238 at the Gniezno mint, originates from the Duchy of Greater Poland during the Piast fragmentation. Its attribution is debated between Wladyslaw III Spindleshanks and his nephew, Wladyslaw Odonic, highlighting the era's intense dynastic power struggles. Such small-denomination silver coinage was vital for local commerce, asserting ducal authority amidst political instability, reflecting the economic needs of a fragmented realm.

Artistry: As a typical bracteate, this coin was produced with a single die, creating an impressed obverse and an incuse reverse. The artistic style is characteristic of early 13th-century Central European coinage, often simplified and abstract. Engravers were anonymous mint artisans. Kop#148 typically features a stylized ducal bust or a symbol of authority, such as a crowned head or an eagle, reflecting the ruler’s claim to power within the minimalist aesthetic of its small flan.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 0.17 grams and measuring 13 millimeters, this silver bracteate is inherently delicate. High-points for preservation typically include central features of the ducal bust—like the nose, crown, or facial contours—often the first areas to show wear or strike weakness. Due to the thin flan and single-die striking, examples frequently exhibit technical flaws: off-center strikes, uneven impressions, flan cracks, and flatness, making well-centered, fully struck specimens particularly sought after.