Item number: A218

Year: AD 1142-1195

Material: Lead

Size: 27.8 x 27.6 x 0.1 mm

Weight: 0.83 g

Manufactured by: Brunswick, Germany

Provenance: Künker 2022

This is a coin known as a “Bracteate,” manufactured in the Saxon Duchy capital of Brunswick within the Holy Roman Empire, dating from AD 1142 to AD 1195. The coin features two circles, with geometric patterns adorning the inner side of the outer circle. At the very centre lies an emblematic totem of the ruler: the lion symbol of Henry. Depending on the territories ruled by Henry the Lion, variations exist in the posture and appearance of the lion emblem. For instance, the lion’s head on coins from Brunswick faces right, with a more robust physique.

Henry the Lion’s territories were not limited to the northern Saxon regions of Germany but also encompassed the duchies in the southern Bavarian area. The choice of the lion as his emblem by Henry highlights not only his status as the most powerful prince within the Holy Roman Empire but also signifies his ambition, particularly in aspiring to the throne held by his cousin, Emperor Frederick I. Beyond incorporating the lion into his heraldry, Henry erected a bronze lion statue in the heart of Brunswick, thus solidifying the lion’s symbolic significance as the city’s emblem. Following Henry’s demise, literature even depicted him rescuing a lion engaged in combat with a dragon on his journey to the Holy Land of Jerusalem. This lion became his faithful companion, with legends suggesting it perished from grief-induced fasting after Henry’s death.

The type of coin known as a “Bracteate” was prevalent from the 12th century to the early 16th century and was commonly circulated in the Germanic and Scandinavian regions. Unlike coins from the Roman era, Bracteates were struck using only one die instead of two. These coins, made from soft materials such as lead or tin, would leave distinct impressions of the die’s outline on the reverse side after being struck.

During the 12th century within the Holy Roman Empire, numerous principalities coexisted, and the feudal system with its manorial holdings had yet to evolve beyond medieval norms. Economic activity largely stagnated at a primitive stage characterised by barter, with only a limited circulation of currency, often manufactured using inexpensive materials such as lead and tin. To collect taxes, rulers frequently declared old coins obsolete at intervals of two to three years. They established an exchange rate of four old coins for three new ones, thus reclaiming coins from the populace. Consequently, archaeologists seldom encounter coins from this period in hoard-like formations reminiscent of those from the Roman era because these Bracteate coins had expiration dates and were unsuitable for savings or wealth accumulation.

物件編號: A218

年代: 公元 1142-1195 年

材質: 鉛

尺寸: 27.8 x 27.6 x 0.1 mm

重量: 0.83 g

製造地: 不倫瑞克，德國

來源: 昆克 2022

這是一枚錢幣學稱作「布萊克梯特」形制的硬幣，於公元1142至1195年，由神聖羅馬帝國內的薩克森公爵首都不倫瑞克製造。錢幣上有兩個圓圈，外圍的圓內側以幾何條文為飾。最中央的圓心有象徵統治者獅子亨利的獅子圖騰。獅子亨利統治的不同封地，獅子圖騰的姿勢和外觀皆存在差異，例如，不倫瑞克的獅頭是朝右，體態也較為精壯。

獅子亨利的封地，不侷限於德國北部的薩克森，同時也是南部巴伐利亞地區的公爵。亨利之所以採納獅子為圖騰，突顯自身是神聖羅馬帝國境內最強的諸侯外，也表現其覬覦表哥腓特烈一世時任神聖羅馬帝國皇帝的野心。將獅子放上自己的家徽外，亨利更在不倫瑞克的市中心矗立一隻青銅獅子像，就此成為不倫瑞克的城市象徵。當亨利去世之後，文學家更創作出亨利在前往聖地耶路薩冷途中，出手相救一隻跟惡龍搏鬥的獅子，為此獅子成為他忠實的夥伴，更在亨利去世後因悲慟絕食而亡的傳說故事。

這種稱作「布萊克梯特」的錢幣，於公元12世紀至公元16世紀初期，普遍流行於日耳曼和斯堪地那維亞地區。不同於羅馬時代的硬幣，錢幣兩面以不同沖模去打印。「布萊克梯特」僅以一個沖模打印，以鉛錫等柔軟材質為原料的錢幣經打印後，沖模的輪廓會在背面形成清楚的痕跡。

公元12世紀之際的神聖羅馬帝國境內，諸侯國林立且尚未擺脫中世紀的封建采邑，經濟多停滯在原始的以物易物，僅有少量貨幣流通和多以鉛錫等便宜的原料製造。統治者為徵稅以兩三年一度的頻繁頻率宣告舊硬幣作廢。並以四枚舊幣兌換三枚新幣的匯率，從民眾手中回收硬幣。因此考古學家較少發現該時期的硬幣以羅馬時代的窖藏形式出現，因為這些布萊克梯特硬幣有使用期限，不適合用作儲蓄和財富累積。