Sovereign: Henry VII (obverse); Shield of Arms in Tudor Rose (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.169)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1504–9
The coinage of Henry VII is the first step from medieval to modern coinage. In 1489 a special commission was issued for the striking of a new gold coin called the sovereign, weighing 240 gs.
This is the first use of the name in the English series. These early sovereigns can boast of an artistic achievement never before realized on an English coin, and perhaps never since. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.169: Sovereign: Henry VII (obverse); Shield of Arms in Tudor Rose (reverse), 1504–9. England, Henry VII, 1485-1509. Gold; diameter: 4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.). Inscribed: HENRICIUS DEI GRATIA, REX, ANGLIAE, FRANCIAE, ET HIBRNIA DNS HIB (Henry, by the grace of God, King of England, France and Hibernia (Ireland)); IHESUS AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORVM IBAT (But Jesus, passing through the midst of them 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
Sovereigns are large, thin gold coins that feature portraits of the respective monarch; here Henry VII is sitting on a throne.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- HENRICIUS DEI GRATIA, REX, ANGLIAE, FRANCIAE, ET HIBRNIA DNS HIB (Henry, by the grace of God, King of England, France and Hibernia (Ireland)); IHESUS AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORVM IBAT (But Jesus, passing through the midst of them went his way.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1504–9
- Culture period
- England, Henry VII, 1485-1509
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.169
- 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. 28
- 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.