NNP

The name given to a class of silver coins, dating from the tenth and eleventh centuries, which resemble the Bracteates of that period but have peculiar raised edges on both sides. They usually bear on the obverse the representation of a church, and on the reverse a rude cross; in some instances ill-formed inscriptions are also visible.

The Wends were one of the Lusatian branch of the Slavic race and settled in Silesia, Saxony, Brandenburg, etc. The collegiate church or chapter of Giebiehen- stein, near Halle, received the privilege of striking coins A.D. 987. As it was situ- ated on the main road from Halle and Lausitz (Lusatia) to Poland, it is assumed that many of the Wendenpfennige were issued here.