Ursus Posted October 7, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 7, 2022 (edited) Here is a recent addition to my collection of medieval bracteates. A couple of weeks back, @shanxi posted his wonderful example of this type along with an informative write-up here on NumisForums. I had been the underbidder on his coin in a recent Leu auction. It is a relatively scarce type, so I was both surprised and glad when a second coin came up in another auction shortly after. This time I managed to get it: Breisgau, Counts of Staufen, AR bracteate penny (“vierzipfliger Pfennig”), ca. 1330–1360. Obv.: elephant l., palanquin on back. Rev.: incuse design (bracteate). 17mm, 0.28g. Berger 2438; Wielandt: Breisgau 50; Slg. Wüthrich 55. Ex Teutoburger Münzauktion 149, lot 3107. The elephant bracteates are fascinating both because of their design, which might possibly reference a scene from the Middle High German Alexanderlied also depicted on a 14th century tapestry from the Dominican convent Adelhausen at Freiburg, and because of their attribution. The find spots of surviving examples suggest that they were likely minted from silver mined in the Münstertal, a valley some 15 miles south of Freiburg, and under the authority of the Counts of Staufen. This local dynasty is mostly known for one incident: According to more or less contemporary chronicles, Hans Ludwig of Staufen in 1540 hired an alchemist, a certain Doctor Faustus. That Doctor Faustus died soon after, apparently from accidentally poisoning himself during a chemical experiment. The smell of sulfur emanating from his body convinced the local population that he had been taken by the devil. Thus originated the legend that inspired Goethe's well-known play Faust. Post your comments, elephants, and recent medieval acquisitions! Edited October 7, 2022 by Ursus 15 1 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kali Posted October 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 7, 2022 Cute little thing!😍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted October 7, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 7, 2022 (edited) Nice example ! 2 hours ago, Ursus said: The smell of sulfur emanating from his body convinced the local population that he had been taken by the devil. This is the inn where the devil is said to have taken Faust. Edited October 7, 2022 by shanxi 7 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted October 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 7, 2022 4 hours ago, Ursus said: Breisgau, Counts of Staufen, AR bracteate penny (“vierzipfliger Pfennig”), ca. 1330–1360. Obv.: elephant l., palanquin on back. Rev.: incuse design (bracteate). 17mm, 0.28g. Berger 2438; Wielandt: Breisgau 50; Slg. Wüthrich 55. Ex Teutoburger Münzauktion 149, lot 3107. Cute and nice coin - fantastic! Congratulations! 👍😍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted October 7, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 7, 2022 (edited) Ursus, congrats on scoring that very cool medieval elephant (I'm jealous of that sweet addition) 🤩 Ummm, here is one of my ol' medieval coins from that same time period ... it's also very cool, right? The Duke of Milan, Bernabo and Galeazzo II Visconti, AR Grosso or Pegione 1355-1378 AD Diameter: 25 mm Weight: 2.50 grams Obverse: Snake with maiden in its mouth between B G; above (an eagle) a aquiletta R/S Reverse: Ambrose on the throne Ex-stevex6 Ursus => congrats again on adding that cool OP-addition Cheers Edited October 7, 2022 by Steve 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted October 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 7, 2022 Hearty congratulations, @Ursus, and thanks to @shanxi for that nice flourish regarding the context. Nice one, @Steve. Even more fun, that snake motif is the Visconti coat of arms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscione 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted October 8, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 8, 2022 Thanks Jean ... man, that is cool, eh? Ummm, congrats again & again on your sweet OP-elephant-addition (sorry to derail your thread) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted October 8, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) Ummm, here are some of my ol' elephant examples ... like you, I'm a big fan of elephants Oh, and the Faust reference is very fun and interesting (thanks for that tidbit) Cheers Edited October 8, 2022 by Steve 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 8, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 8, 2022 It's quite a charming bracteate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted October 10, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted October 10, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the compliments, everyone! On 10/7/2022 at 8:44 PM, Steve said: The Duke of Milan, Bernabo and Galeazzo II Visconti, AR Grosso or Pegione 1355-1378 AD Diameter: 25 mm Weight: 2.50 grams Obverse: Snake with maiden in its mouth between B G; above (an eagle) a aquiletta R/S Reverse: Ambrose on the throne That is a cool snake indeed, and your little herd of pachydermata is fantastic. Nice coins! Edited October 10, 2022 by Ursus 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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