Half Pound: Elizabeth I (obverse); Crowned Shield of Arms (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.187)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1558–1560
This is a fine example of a rare piece, produced by a new process. In about 1560 an attempt was made to introduce coins made with the French screw press. The coins are called mill money, a term derived from the use of water and horse mills used to supply power.
The machinery included a rolling press, driven by the mill, a cutting punch, and a screw press for stamping the design on the coin. While the screw press coins are far superior to hammered coins in the point of accuracy of shape and weight, the workmen at the mint put up every possible objection because they were afraid their livelihood was in danger. Eloye Mestrell, who brought the press over from France, was a scoundrel who had once worked for the Paris mint.
He was an easy prey to hostility and finally ended up on the gallows, having been convicted of counterfeiting. No more is heard of the screw press until the reign of Charles I when a greater Frenchman, Nicholas Briot, was given employment in the government mint. The workmanship on these milled coins of Mestrell was excellent and the coins are beautifully detailed. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.187: Half Pound: Elizabeth I (obverse); Crowned Shield of Arms (reverse), 1558–1560.
England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. Gold; diameter: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.). Inscribed: ELIZABETH • D : G : ANG : FRA : ET • HIB : REGINA (Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland.); SCVTVM • FIDEI • PROTEGET • EAM (The shield of faith shall protect her.). 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 technology of the French screw press allows greater detail to be viewed, such as the queen's bejeweled dress and long locks flowing out of her crown and down her back.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- ELIZABETH • D : G : ANG : FRA : ET • HIB : REGINA (Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland.); SCVTVM • FIDEI • PROTEGET • EAM (The shield of faith shall protect her.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1558–1560
- Culture period
- England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.187
- 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. 46 Emmison, F. G. Elizabethan Life . [Vol. 1], [Vol. 1]. Chelmsford: Essex County Council, 1970. Mikolic, Amanda. Hunting for a Unicorn Horn: Narwhal Tusks in Medieval Monsters . The Cleveland Museum of Art The Thinker Blog on Medium, September 6, 2019.
- 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.