Holy Roman Empire, Bishopric of Hildesheim, Adelhog, Bracteate

This bracteate of Bishop Adelhog (1170-1190) shows the prelate himself between two little towers. Adelhog holds a crozier in one hand, with the other he issues a blessing. On his head sits a miter. Bracteates or hollow pfennigs were struck on thin silver plates on one face only. The coin motif appeared in a high relief, the other side was hollow. These large coins offered plenty of space for artistic depictions.