The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 28, 2023

Sovereign of Twenty Shillings: Edward VI (obverse); Crowned Shield of Royal Arms (reverse)

1550–53

Part of a set. See all set records

England, Edward VI, 1547-1553

Gold

Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)

The Norweb Collection 1969.178

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

The young king Edward VI, shown wearing armor, was between 13 and 16 years old when this coin was struck.

Description

The initial mark tun, a small barrel, shows that his piece was struck in the Tower mint and dates it from 1551–53. It was struck in 22 carat gold. The initial mark appears at the top of the reverse of the coin.

Inscriptions

Inscription

EDWARD VI: D G; AGL': FRAN: HIBER; REX

Inscription Translation

Edward VI, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland

Inscription Remark

obverse

Inscription

IHS AVTE TRANAI PER M EDIV ILLOR IBAT

Inscription Translation

But He passing through the midst of them went his way.

Inscription Remark

reverse, Luke IV: 30

Provenance
-1969
Mrs. Emery May Holden Norweb (1895-1984), Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1969-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection. [Catalog. 1968. p. 37
Exhibition history

English Gold Coins: Ancient to Modern Times. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1963).

Year in Review: 1969. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 27-February 22, 1970).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1969.178