![5th-6th Century Scandinavian Bracteate. Image Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.](https://www.langantiques.com/university/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Bracteate_-_5th-6th_Century_Scandinavian_.jpg)
A Bracteate is a thin metal pendant disc, typically made of gold and with a stamped or repoussé decoration based on ancient Roman and Byzantine coins. The pendant is usually surmounted with a cylindrical attachment by which to suspend it. Bracteates originated in fifth-century Scandinavia and made their way throughout Europe.