Sovereign: Henry VIII Enthroned (obverse); Royal Arms on Tudor Rose (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.170)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1526–44
During his life Henry VII had accumulated enormous wealth, and it took his son, Henry VIII, until 1542 to squander it. Henry knew how 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.
Regardless of the inevitable financial catastrophe, he grasped at this easy revenue and in his last years not only debased the gold coinage to 20 ct., but the silver also, to one part silver and two parts alloy. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.170: Sovereign: Henry VIII Enthroned (obverse); Royal Arms on Tudor Rose (reverse), 1526–44. England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547. Gold; diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.). Inscribed: henricvs dei gracia rex anglie et franc dns hib (Henry by the grace of God King of England and France, Lord of Ireland); ihesvs avtem transiens per medivm 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
The Sovereign was first produced by Henry VII in 1489; he wanted a new gold coin to represent the power of his reign.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- henricvs dei gracia rex anglie et franc dns hib (Henry by the grace of God King of England and France, Lord of Ireland); ihesvs avtem transiens per medivm illorvm ibat (But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went his way.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1526–44
- Culture period
- England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.170
- 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. 29
- 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.