Coins & Medals
Laurel: James I (obverse); Shield of Arms (reverse)
MetalworkCoin
Details
- Author / creator
- England, James I, 1603-1625
- Object type
- Coin or medal
- Date or period
- 1619–1620
- Dimensions summary
- Diameter: 3.7 cm
- Place of origin
- England
- Acquisition method
- Donation
- Credit line
- Gift of the Pemberton family, 1969
- Denomination
- Laurel
- Issuer / ruler
- James I
- Mint
- London (Tower Mint)
- Metal
- Gold
- Weight (g)
- 9
- Diameter (mm)
- 37
- Image rights
- Public domain (CC0)
About this object
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."
Materials and technique
Gold
Signature and marks
Obverse: IACOBVS D:G: MAG: BRI: FRA:ET HIB: REX, XX (“James by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 20 (shillings)”); Reverse: FACIAM EOS IN. GENTEM. UNAM (“I will make them one nation”)
Obverse
James I
Reverse
Shield of Arms
