Half Angel: Angel Slaying a Dragon (obverse); Ship with Shield of Arms (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.171)
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 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. Full debasement began officially in 1544. The angel varied in value from 6 shillings 8 pence to 11 shillings between Edward's reign and the time of James I. During the reign of Henry VIII, it was valued at seven shillings and six pence (7/6) or 90 pence, the half angel being half that value. The angel was last produced under Charles I in 1642. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.171: Half Angel: Angel Slaying a Dragon (obverse); Ship with Shield of Arms (reverse), 1526–44. England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547. Gold; diameter: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.). Inscribed: HENRIC 8 DG AGL FR Z HIB REX (Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God, King of England); O CRVX AVE SPES VNICA (Hail! O Cross, our only hope.). 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
This coin takes its name from the winged angel figure, St. Michael, who is spearing the dragon.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- HENRIC 8 DG AGL FR Z HIB REX (Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God, King of England); O CRVX AVE SPES VNICA (Hail! O Cross, our only hope.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1526–44
- Culture period
- England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.171
- 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. 30
- 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.