| Coin | Angel of King Henry VIII, 1509 - 1547 |
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The Angel was an English gold coin introduced by King Edward IV in 1465. It was patterned after the French angelot or ange, which had been issued since 1340. The name derived from its representation of the Archangel Michael slaying a dragon. As it was considered a new issue of the noble, it was also called the angel-noble. The angel varied in value from 6 shillings 8 pence (80 pence) to 11 shillings (132 pence) between Edward's reign and the time of King James I. In 1526 during the reign of Henry VIII, it increased to seven shillings and six pence (7/6) or 90 pence.
Being hand-struck, Angle coins vary in diameter and weight; the average dimension is 29 mm, and the average wight is around 5.12 grams. The fineness of the gold was normally 0.995, but this varied and during the reigns of some monarchs was lower. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse depicts Archangel Michael, wearing armour, bare headed and with a halo around his head, slaying a dragon with his spear.
Around, the legend of the monarch preceded by the mint mark (which is the symbol in the rim to the right of the angel's halo): HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRA - abbreviated from HENRICVS DEI GRATIA REX ANGLIAE ET FRANCIE and meaning "Henry, by the grace of God, King of England and France" in Latin.The legend reflects the king's claim to the throne of France (which he did not actually rule).
The legend is inscribed in Medieval style which differs very much from modern Latin letters. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin depicts a sailing ship with the Coat of Arms of King Henry VII at the masthead, above which the letter h on the left and a Tudor rose on the right.
The legend around reads PER CRVCE TVA SALVA NOS XPE REDET, abbreviated from per crucem tuam salva nos christe redemptor, meaning "By Thy cross save us, Christ Redeemer" in Latin.
As on the obverse, the legend is preceded by the mint mark. |
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| Edge | Thin | Edge Inscription | None |
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