Noble: Edward III Standing in Ship with Shield of Arms (obverse); Ornamental Cross with Lis Terminals (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.160)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1351
Bearing in mind the primitive tools and methods of production in the 1300s, this noble, and other similar pieces are remarkable for their beauty and fineness of detail.
In all the indentures of this period a clause was inserted providing for the trial of the Pyx. The Master of the Mint was supposed to place in the Pyx, a small box, a sample of all coins struck. These were left for three months and then tested by a committee to verify the weight and fineness. For many centuries the Trial of the Pyx took place in the Pyx Chamber at Westminster Abbey which visitors may still see today.
In the 1800s the trial was transferred to Goldsmiths Hall where it is still held annually. Each three months some initial or secret mark was put on the coin to show that another three month period had started. These marks consisted of initial marks plus combinations of single or double annulets, broken annulet, unbarred N's, reversed S's, and so forth. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.160: Noble: Edward III Standing in Ship with Shield of Arms (obverse); Ornamental Cross with Lis Terminals (reverse), 1351.
England, Edward III, 1327-1377. Gold; diameter: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.). Inscribed: EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGLE Z FRANC D HYB (Edward, by the grace of God of England France and Ireland King); IHES AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIV. ILLORV IBAT (But Jesus passing through their midst went His way). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The noble was the first English gold coin produced in larger numbers and was introduced by King Edward III.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGLE Z FRANC D HYB (Edward, by the grace of God of England France and Ireland King); IHES AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIV. ILLORV IBAT (But Jesus passing through their midst went His way)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1351
- Culture period
- England, Edward III, 1327-1377
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.160
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection . [Catalog. 1968. p. 19
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references against numismatic literature.