1504-1505 Gold Angel Coin Henry VII Hammered Cross-Crosslet

A very collectable gold Angel of King Henry VII. The 'Cross-crosslet' mintmark indicates it was struck between the years 1504 and 1505.

This obverse of this coin has the iconic Angel standing on dragons with two feet. The reverse features a ship at sea with the Royal shield on the mast. To one side of the mast is an "h" for King Henry, and the other side the famous "Tudor Rose".

This coin was struck just after Sir Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean to discover America in 1492, and could well have been in the pockets of one the many explorers of this fascinating period of history. Henry VII won the throne after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, and became the first Tudor King. He reigned for 23 years, and in that time was successful in restoring power and stability to the Monarchy after the upheavals of the War of the Roses.

1464 saw the first gold Angel appearing in British coinage. It weighed 80 grams with a value of 6 shillings and 8 pence which apparently was the standard professional fee at the time. It remained in use for almost 200 years when it was replaced during the reign of Charles I.

Obverse
Class V. Large crooked shaped abbreviation after 'HENRIC'. Angel with both feet on dragons. mintmark Cross Cross-crosslet.

Reverse
Ship on waves, with Royal shield on mast, and "h" and rose to each side of mast. mintmark Cross-crosslet.