Coin, London, 1653
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1653
Coin in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 946-1882), made in London, dated 1653. The museum's brief description reads: Sovereign coin of the Commonwealth.
Museum description: Object TypeThis is a hammered sovereign of the Commonwealth, dated 1653. On the obverse (front) is a shield of St George within a wreath, with the legend 'The Commonwealth of England'. On the reverse are the shields of England and Ireland, with the words 'God with us, 1653'. The substitution of coins with the arms of England and Ireland for the familiar coins bearing the monarch's head was perhaps the most obvious change in official imagery following the Civil War of 1642-1646.Materials & MakingThis sovereign was hammered into shape in a mould.
At a later date coins were struck from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. Gold, being a relatively soft medal, could be given an image simply by hammering. The museum records it as Struck or cast gold, measuring Diameter 3.4 cm; Depth 0.1 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- 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
Object TypeThis is a hammered sovereign of the Commonwealth, dated 1653. On the obverse (front) is a shield of St George within a wreath, with the legend 'The Commonwealth of England'. On the reverse are the shields of England and Ireland, with the words 'God with us, 1653'. The substitution of coins with the arms of England and Ireland for the familiar coins bearing the monarch's head was perhaps the most obvious change in official imagery following the Civil War of 1642-1646.Materials & MakingThis sovereign was hammered into shape in a mould. At a later date coins were struck from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. Gold, being a relatively soft medal, could be given an image simply by hammering.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter 3.4 cm; Depth 0.1 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Struck or cast gold
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Museum object name
- Coin
- Museum object number
- 946-1882
- Museum system number
- O81841
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: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.