Ryal: Edward IV in Ship with a Shield of Arms and Rose (obverse); Sun with Fleurs (reverse)
Unknown Artist
1464/5–70
Medium
gold
Dimensions
diam. 3.5 cm
Classification
Coins
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The Norweb Collection
Accession Number
1969.166
About this artwork
The first and second reigns of Edward IV, who was restored to the throne, were a result of the dynastic civil war between the houses of York and Lancaster, usually known as the Wars of the Roses. The fighting flared up sporadically from 1455 to 1485. With the accession of Edward IV the gold supply was almost nil and after four years the output had been reduced to 300 ibs. Something had to be done without disturbing the country, so a new coin was issued, to be known as the Ryal or Rose Noble. Thi...