Half Sovereign: Henry VIII (obverse); Crowned Arms (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.174)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1544–47
In this third coinage, a new portrait of the king appears. There is now an attempt to make the portrait lifelike, and we see the king fat and middle-aged compared to previous coinage such as 1969.170 . Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.174: Half Sovereign: Henry VIII (obverse); Crowned Arms (reverse), 1544–47. England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547. Gold; diameter: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.). Inscribed: HENRIC. 8. DI. GRA. AGL FRNCIE Z. HIBERNIE REX (Henry VIII by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland); IHC. AVTEM PER MEDIVM ILLO RVM 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 half sovereign was first introduced in 1544 under Henry VIII and was valued at half a pound sterling or ten shillings.
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
- HENRIC. 8. DI. GRA. AGL FRNCIE Z. HIBERNIE REX (Henry VIII by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland); IHC. AVTEM PER MEDIVM ILLO RVM IBAT. (But Jesus passing through their midst went His way.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1544–47
- Culture period
- England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.174
- 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. 33
- 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.