Half Angel: Angel Slaying a Dragon (obverse); Ship with Shield of Arms (reverse)
Unknown Artist
1526–44
Medium
gold
Dimensions
diam. 2.2 cm
Classification
Coins
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Norweb Collection
Accession Number
1969.171
About this artwork
During his life Henry VII had accumulated enormous wealth, and it took his son, Henry VIII, until 1542 to squander it. Henry knew the English coinage had been debased in the past and did not see why it should not be debased again, this time for his personal benefit. Full debasement began officially in 1544. The angel varied in value from 6 shillings 8 pence to 11 shillings between Edward's reign and the time of James I. During the reign of Henry VIII, it was valued at seven shillings and six pen...