Cleveland Museum of Art

Laurel: James I (obverse); Shield of Arms (reverse)

Date: 1619–1620
Medium: gold
Culture: England, James I, 1603-1625
Department: Medieval Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

In 1611 the value of all gold coins, which had previously been down-rated, was now raised by ten percent. Previously the gold coins had circulated at inconvenient fractional values, such as 33 shilling; 16 shillings and 6 pence; 4 shillings and 4 pence three farthings; and so forth. To obviate this a new unit of 20 shillings value was introduced, of which this is a specimen. Showing the king wearing a laurel wreath, it quickly became known as a "Laurel." The king is shown dressed as a Roman Emperor wearing armor.

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