zurigo

[scacchi]

salve per non perdere l'immagine

Switzerland.  Zurich-Abbey of Fraumünster.  Bracteate, ND (c. 1300-1320).  .40 grams.  Head of St. Felix.  HMZ 1-627. Hürlimann-58. Schwarz-30.  Wüthrich-208. Multiple auctions appearance, generally selling between 100 and 200 Euro.  Historical Note:  This Benedictine abbey for aristocratic women was founded in 853 by Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard.  In 1045, Henry III granted the abbey the right to hold markets, collect tolls, and mint coins.  In 1218, Frederick II granted the abbey a legal status which made it territorially independent of all authority but the Emperor’s.  Thereafter, the abbess appointed the mayor and frequently delegated the minting of coins to the citizens of the city.  The political power of the abbey began to wane in the 14^th century.  The abbey was dissolved on 30 November 1524 during the Zwingli’s Reformation.