Cleveland Museum of Art

Sovereign of Thirty Shillings: Elizabeth I (obverse); Shield of Arms on Tudor Rose (reverse)

Date

1583–1603

Medium

gold

Culture

England, Elizabeth I, 1558-1603

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

A point of interest of this very rare piece is the initial mark. The mark, in the shape of a crosslet, and visible at the start of the inscription, dates the die to 1560–61. However here it has been over stamped with another mark, an A, used in 1583–85. This indicates the reuse of the die of the first coinage during the third coinage period. The restoration of the coinage to its proper fineness was completed during this reign. In 1562 a proclamation had been issued reducing the value of all coinage by one third. It was restored to full value again in 1572, when a new coinage was ordered at the old values. There would still be economic troubles ahead, however. The denomination of this coin was so high that as a piece of money it was meant only for the aristocracy or royalty.

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