Cleveland Museum of Art

Half Angel: Angel Slaying a Dragon (obverse); Ship with Shield of Arms (reverse)

Date

1526–44

Medium

gold

Culture

England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

During his life Henry VII had accumulated enormous wealth, and it took his son, Henry VIII, until 1542 to squander it. Henry knew the English coinage had been debased in the past and did not see why it should not be debased again, this time for his personal benefit. Full debasement began officially in 1544. The angel varied in value from 6 shillings 8 pence to 11 shillings between Edward's reign and the time of James I. During the reign of Henry VIII, it was valued at seven shillings and six pence (7/6) or 90 pence, the half angel being half that value. The angel was last produced under Charles I in 1642. This coin takes its name from the winged angel figure, St. Michael, who is spearing the dragon.

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