Skip to Main Content

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

1526–44
gold
Diameter: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
Weight: 2.559 g (0.09 oz.)
The Norweb Collection 1969.171
Location: not on view
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

This coin takes its name from the winged angel figure, St. Michael, who is spearing the dragon.

Description

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

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

1526–44

England, Henry VIII, 1509-1547

See Also

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.