Angel (coin)
Encyclopedia
The Angel is a gold coin
introduced into England
by Edward IV
in 1465 as a new issue of the Noble
, thus is was first called the "angel-noble". It is based off the French coin known as the Angelot or Ange, which had been issued since 1340. It varied in value between that period and the time of Charles I
, when it was last coined in 1642 from 6s. 8d. to 11s. The name was derived from the representation it bore of the Archangel Saint Michael
. In 1472, the Half Angel was introduced with a similar design weighing 40 grains (2.6 grams) with a diameter of 20 to 21 millimeters.
Reverse:
Depicts a ship with arms and rays of sun at the masthead
. Legend: PER CRUCEM TUAM SALVA NOS CHRISTE REDEMPTOR meaning Through thy cross save us, Christ Redeemer.
The value fluctuated over time:
Eventually in 1663 during the reign of Charles II
, coinage was replaced with entirely new designs and struck by machine (milled). The standard gold coin became the Guinea
.
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
introduced into England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
by Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
in 1465 as a new issue of the Noble
Noble (English coin)
The Noble was the first English gold coin produced in quantity, having been preceded by the Gold penny and the Florin earlier in the reigns of King Henry III and King Edward III, which saw little circulation....
, thus is was first called the "angel-noble". It is based off the French coin known as the Angelot or Ange, which had been issued since 1340. It varied in value between that period and the time of Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
, when it was last coined in 1642 from 6s. 8d. to 11s. The name was derived from the representation it bore of the Archangel Saint Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
. In 1472, the Half Angel was introduced with a similar design weighing 40 grains (2.6 grams) with a diameter of 20 to 21 millimeters.
Reverse:
Depicts a ship with arms and rays of sun at the masthead
Mast (sailing)
The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall, vertical, or near vertical, spar, or arrangement of spars, which supports the sails. Large ships have several masts, with the size and configuration depending on the style of ship...
. Legend: PER CRUCEM TUAM SALVA NOS CHRISTE REDEMPTOR meaning Through thy cross save us, Christ Redeemer.
The value fluctuated over time:
- In 1526 during the reign of Henry VIIIHenry VIII of EnglandHenry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, it increased to seven shillings and six pence (7s/6d) or 90 pence. - In 1544, it increased again to eight shillings (8s) or 96 pence.
- In 1550 during the reign of Edward VI it increased to ten shillings (10s) or 120 pence.
- In 1612 during the reign of James IJames I of EnglandJames VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
it increased to eleven shillings (11s) or 132 pence. - In 1619 it decreased to ten shillings (10s) and at that point in time it weighed 70 grains (4.5 grams).
Eventually in 1663 during the reign of Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, coinage was replaced with entirely new designs and struck by machine (milled). The standard gold coin became the Guinea
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
.
Social impact
- The Angel was such an iconic coin that many English pubsPublic houseA public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
were named after it. The Angel Islington is one of these; and the Angel tube stationAngel tube stationAngel tube station is a London Underground station in The Angel, Islington. It is on the Bank branch of the Northern Line, between Old Street and King's Cross St. Pancras stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 1. The tube stop serves as a portal to several Off West End, or fringe theatre, venues,...
station was named after the pub. - The angel was the coin given to those who came to be touched for the disease known as king's evil; after it was no longer coined, medals, called touch-pieces, with the same device, were given instead.