The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

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

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

1619–1620
Diameter: 3.7 cm (1 7/16 in.)
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The king is shown dressed as a Roman Emperor wearing armor.

Description

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."
  • -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
  • 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. 50
  • Year in Review: 1969. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 27-February 22, 1970).
    English Gold Coins: Ancient to Modern Times. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1963).
  • {{cite web|title=Laurel: James I (obverse); Shield of Arms (reverse)|url=false|author=|year=1619–1620|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1969.191