Holy Roman Empire, Fraumünster Abbey of Zurich, Elizabeth of Spiegelberg, Bracteate

The early coins from Zurich mostly depicted the patron saints of the city, Felix and Regula. Later issues, however, show the 'portrait' of the respective abbess.

This coin depicts a schematic picture of Abbess Elizabeth of Spiegelberg (1298-1308). She wears a nun's veil, but also a necklace as a worldly attribute. This demonstrated the double position of the abbess of Zurich: clerical principal as well as feudal lord.