Half Pound: Elizabeth I (obverse); Crowned Shield of Arms (reverse)
Unknown Artist
1601
Medium
gold
Dimensions
diam. 2.9 cm
Classification
Coins
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Norweb Collection
Accession Number
1969.186
About this artwork
The design of this rare piece is similar to another in the collection of Elizabeth I, 1969.184. However, the initial marks denote it was struck in 1601. Elizabeth I is shown finely dressed and around her is her abbreviated title, Elizabeth by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland. On the reverse is the shield of arms of England showing lions and the fleur-de-lis. Although Elizabeth was officially titled Queen of France, the title was a hollow one. Calais, England's last French t...