Holy Roman Empire, Münzenberg and Wetterau, Kuno of Münzenberg, Bacteate

This bracteat, a light pfennig minted on one side only, shows a descriptive design: Since only very few people could read in the Middle Ages, the origin of money had to be indicated otherwise. Our bracteat bears the bust of Lord Kuno of Münzenberg (*c. 1151, † 1212) under an arch, holding a sword and a decorated shield. Between the towers above the arch are two stalks of mint, referring to Münzenberg (Minzenberg = mint mountain).