Bracteate
undated (1225-1245), principality of Mecklenburg
In the 13th century the Mecklenburg rulers minted coins for the first time. These coins were bracteates – hollow pfennigs embossed on one side. Without an inscription they showed the head of a bull, the heraldic animal of Mecklenburg. In the field of numismatics these coins are therefore referred to as bull’s head bracteates. They were worth one pfennig (denarius). For comparison: a hen cost two pfennigs in 1280. The coinage of the Mecklenburg rulers Borwin I. (died 1227), Nikolaus (1219-1225) and Johann (1229-1265) has survived. Wismar and Gadebusch were mints of the royal government.
Text: T. F.
The exhibit refers to:
Mecklenburg until 1945
Look here for the original exhibit:
Staatliches Museum Schwerin
Staatliches Museum Schwerin
Alter Garten 3
19055 Schwerin
