INFO request: German 12th-13th Century Bracteate

stealer · November 7, 2014 5:56PM

I got this coin a while ago from some free event, and I did some research about it back then but have since forgotten what it is exactly. All I remember is that it's German, and that it's a bracteate. If anyone could give me any idea of what variety it is and what the paper looking thing on it is it would be much appreciated! Any stabs at valuation would be appreciated too.

lordmarcovan · November 7, 2014 11:04PM

I know almost nothing about bracteates, but having browsed VCoins .com and its German counterpart ma-shops.com, both big online malls, I have seen quite a few offered. If you don't get a full attribution from some expert here, maybe you could search "bracteate" on either or both of those sites for comparison purposes.

You may not find an exact match, of course, but you'll get a feel for what else is out there and what kind of prices are asked for them.

I have looked at enough to say that you do have an appealing example. Not a real monster, but a very nice piece.

I hope you can get an attribution and value, because if you were interested in parting with it, I might offer you a swap for it. I know nothing about it either, but I think it is cool.

You won that as a prize somewhere? Lucky break.

CIVITAS · November 8, 2014 1:49AM

Could be St. Gallen in Switzerland.

stealer · November 8, 2014 4:03AM

LM, Civitas, I really appreciate your inputs. Civitas, I think you are on the right track as I browsed a few of v-coins items and found some very similar looking items:

Coin1
Coin2
Coin3

I also browsed a few numismatics books on google on Swiss bracteates, and it seems like there's a differentiation between half-bracteates and just bracteates. There aren't many descriptions of design, however.

LM, I'm not really looking to sell or trade for anything right now, but I will let you know if/when the time coins

Edit: I have reached out to Pavlou in hopes that he can provide an attribution and I will relay whatever information he can tell me about it.

lordmarcovan · November 8, 2014 10:43AM

Congrats on a cool acquisition.

I'd like to learn more about these.

PS- in an eye appeal contest with me as judge, your coin beats #2 and #3 that you linked to.

I'd put it tied with #1. That coin has nice color but something in the design or strike of yours resonates with me more.

stealer · November 8, 2014 4:56PM

Thanks LordM,

I like the coin quite a bit as well. I will let you know what the coin dealer can tell me about the coin.

Icollecteverything · November 9, 2014 10:20AM

Here is my one and only bracteate. It is from Hungary circa 1235-1270 when Bela IV was King of Hungary and Croatia. There is quite an extensive and interesting article about him on Wikipedia where I learned that before he became King he was the Duke of Transylvania.

I did some searching around the net today and came up with two similar ones but not this exact same piece. I did find out that supposedly he has roses in his hair.

Icollecteverything · November 10, 2014 10:14PM

Now for the first time the forum is getting wonky for me. I did the previous post a day or so ago but it's not showing up on the main page as a new post.

Also found in my notes that the seller said my bracteate is a Rethy 272.

stealer · November 11, 2014 3:34PM

ICE,

Thanks, These coins are pretty cool. I never heard back from the dealer, oh well.

INFO request: German 12th-13th Century Bracteate

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