Ryal: Elizabeth I in Ship (obverse); Rose over Radiate Sun (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.183)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1583–84/85
An excellent specimen of a very rare coin, the figure of the queen is full of minute detail. Elizabeth I is shown sailing on a ship; she holds an orb and scepter.
A rose appears on the hull of the ship and an E on the banner located on the bow. Produced at the climax of her reign, the design was chosen to demonstrate England's superior naval power and colonization of what would become the United States of America. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.183: Ryal: Elizabeth I in Ship (obverse); Rose over Radiate Sun (reverse), 1583–84/85. England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. Gold; diameter: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.).
Inscribed: ELI ZAB; D; G; ANG; FR; ET. H IB REGINA (Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland.); IHS; AVT; TRANSIENS. PER. MEDIV; ILLORVM. IBAT ('as Jesus passed invisible and in most secret manner by the middest of the Pharisees, so gold was made by invisible and secret art amidst the ignorant'). 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 ryal, 15 shillings, was the rarest denomination and was minted in exceedingly small numbers.
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
- ELI ZAB; D; G; ANG; FR; ET. H IB REGINA (Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland.); IHS; AVT; TRANSIENS. PER. MEDIV; ILLORVM. IBAT ('as Jesus passed invisible and in most secret manner by the middest of the Pharisees, so gold was made by invisible and secret art amidst the ignorant')
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1583–84/85
- Culture period
- England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.183
- 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. 42
- 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.