Plappart Small eagle, no pellets

Historical Context: This Plappart, a significant silver denomination, was issued by the City of Bern during a pivotal period between 1410 and 1492. As an increasingly powerful member of the Old Swiss Confederacy, Bern experienced substantial economic growth and political consolidation throughout the 15th century. Governed by its influential city council, Bern asserted its autonomy and expanded its territories, engaging in crucial regional conflicts such as the Burgundian Wars. The continuous emission of this Plappart type, characterized by its "small eagle" motif, underscores its role as a stable and essential currency for facilitating trade and daily transactions within Bern's burgeoning sphere of influence.

Artistry: The design of this Plappart reflects the prevailing late Gothic stylistic conventions of the era, typical for municipal mints in the Holy Roman Empire. While specific engravers are rarely documented for such issues, the craftsmanship adheres to a robust, functional aesthetic suitable for mass production. The "small eagle" likely occupies a prominent position on the obverse, symbolizing either Bern's imperial immediacy or its own heraldic traditions. The absence of pellets, as noted in the type description, serves as a key diagnostic feature, differentiating this specific variety from others and highlighting the subtle distinctions employed by mint masters to identify different emissions or die states.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this 2.0-gram, 24-millimeter Plappart would typically exhibit its highest points on the central design elements, such as the head and wings of the small eagle, and any accompanying heraldic shield or cross. Due to the hand-striking methods of the period, variations in strike quality are common, including off-centering, uneven planchet thickness, and areas of weak strike. Full details on the eagle's feathers or the legends around the rim are often the first to show wear or be incompletely struck. The absence of pellets, a minute detail, would be most clearly discernible on well-preserved, higher-grade examples.