Meissen, where this extraordinary bracteate was minted, had been a margravate and bishopric since 968. From 1089 the dynasty of Wettin was the margrave, who also had the minting authority. In accordance with the medieval custom, the margrave was represented on the coin. However we are not dealing with a genuine portrait of someone with individual traits. This is rather a schematic representation of a person with the insignia of his rank.