- Angel (coin)
An Angel is a gold
coin , first used inFrance (where it was also known as an Angelot and an Ange) in1340 , and introduced intoEngland by Edward IV in1465 as a new issue of the "noble" and so at first called the "angel-noble". It varied in value between that period and the time of Charles I, when it was last coined (1642) [ [http://www.goldsovereigns.co.uk/goldpenniesflorinsleopardsnoblesryalsangels.html Gold Pennies Florins Leopards Nobles Ryals & Angels] ] from 6s. 8d. to 11s. The name was derived from the representation it bore of St. Michael and thedragon .Role in English coinage
The initial value of the coin was six shillings and eight pence (6s/8d) or 1/3 of a pound (80 pence). The coin was introduced after the
Ryal (120 pence) proved unpopular as the standard was 80 pence from the previous Noble coin used.During the reign of
Edward IV , the coin had a weight of 80 grains (5.2 grams) and a diameter of 27-31 mm. Later on in 1472 the Half Angel was introduced with a similar design. It weighed 40 grains (2.6 grams) and had a diameter of 20-21 mm. In the same year theBristol mint began producing them as well.Obverse:Depicts the
archangel St. Michael spearing the dragon of evil.Reverse:Depicts a ship with arms and rays of sun at the masthead.
The value fluctuated over time:
*In 1526 during the reign ofHenry VIII , it increased to seven shillings and six pence (7s/8d) or 90 pence.
*In 1544, it increased again to eight shillings (8s) or 96 pence.
*In 1550 during the reign ofEdward VI it increased to ten shillings (10s) or 120 pence.
*In 1612 during the reign of James I 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 regin of Charles II, coinage was replaced with entirely new designs and struck by machine (milled). The standard gold coin became the Guinea.
ocial impact
* The Angel was such an iconic coin that many English pubs were named after it. The
Angel Islington is one of these; and theAngel tube station station was named after the pub.
* The angel was the coin given to those who came to be touched for the disease known asking's evil ; after it was no longer coined, medals, called touch-pieces, with the same device, were given instead.References
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