Broad brakteates are striking and very rare coins.
Bracteates were introduced in Silesia after 1250, and circulated until they were supplanted by the thicker quarto coinage (in the first half of the 14th century). However, they quickly lost their extraordinary size for Polish minting, being reduced to a diameter of less than 20 mm.
Their present-day rarity and multiplicity of types is due to the renovatio monetae. Broad brakteates were minted for less than 50 years, but were replaced with new ones every six months, effectively pulling the old coin from the market.
Representation: crowned lion's head, facing left, in a pearl surround.
Silver, diameter 25 mm, weight 0.50 g.
