At our Auction 14 – An interesting bracteate by Leszek the White from the Krakow mint

This bracteate is hard to confuse with any other. It can be successfully described as one of the most spectacular bracteats of the Polish Middle Ages. A very characteristic image showing a bust of a man with a beard turned to the right with a raised hand and wearing a Jewish cap. In the rim, an inscription: B’RACHA TOBK. Issue attributed to Leszek the White and the Krakow mint. Coin occasionally listed on the auction market.

A coin with a very interesting depiction, initially interpreted as a scene of prayer. Analyzing the Old Testament, we can read that the Jews left Egyptian captivity “with their hands raised” as a gesture of thanksgiving, freedom and triumph, resulting from entrusting Yahweh and submitting to His will. It may be, after Stanisław Suchodolski, a representation of an Old Testament hero (Moses, Aaron, etc.), especially since the legend (comrade brother) means “good blessing” and is not associated with any specific person.