Half Sovereign: Edward VI (obverse); Crowned Royal Arms (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.175)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1549–50
During the first coinage period, April 1547 to January 1549, debased coinage was still issued. Part of it still had the name and portrait of Henry VIII; part of it the name of Henry, but a youthful portrait; and part of it the name of Edward.
The series is thus complex and some of the chronology open to doubt. In 1549, the beginning of the second coinage period, the first step was taken to restore the standard of the coinage. Gold, including the piece shown, was struck in 22 ct. This coin shows the young king uncrowned, the only occasion on which the king's portrait is so shown. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.175: Half Sovereign: Edward VI (obverse); Crowned Royal Arms (reverse), 1549–50.
England, Edward VI, 1547-1553. Gold; diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.). Inscribed: SCVTM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM (The shield of faith protects him.); EDWARD VI D G AGL FRA HIB REX (Edward VI by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland). 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
Edward VI's short reign as king of England ended in 1553 when he died at the age of 15.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- SCVTM FIDEI PROTEGET EVM (The shield of faith protects him.); EDWARD VI D G AGL FRA HIB REX (Edward VI by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1549–50
- Culture period
- England, Edward VI, 1547-1553
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.175
- 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. 34
- 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.