England · Elizabeth I (1558–1603)

England Half Angel — Elizabeth I, Fifth Issue (1578–1582)

Image pending

About this coin

The fifth-issue half angel reduces the Michael-and-ship design to a five-shilling piece. Its issue can be narrowed by the cross or sword mark.

Obverse

Michael stands over the dragon as he drives his spear downward.

Script: Latin

Lettering

ELIZABETH D G ANG FR ET HI REGINA

Translation

Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland.

Reverse

The ship and royal shield are enclosed by a beaded circle.

Script: Latin

Lettering

A DNO FACTVM EST ISTVD ET EST MIRA

Translation

This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous.

Mints and mintmarks

Royal Mint at the Tower of London.

Engraver and mintmaster marks

Greek cross, Latin cross and sword.

Identification and varieties

Undated gold coinage. Date ranges are conventional attributions of issues or privy marks. Lettering and stops vary by die. Measurements are recorded specimens, and the table is not a complete die census. Mintage is not established.

Measurements

Recorded specimen measurements, not a fixed specification for every coin. Hammered flans vary.

Years, mintmarks and variants

Tap an issue for details and places to find it.

YearMintMintmarkVariantMintageNotesFind this issue
ND (1578–1579)London (Tower)Greek crossFifth-issue half angel
ND (1580–1581)London (Tower)Latin crossFifth-issue half angel
ND (1582)London (Tower)SwordFifth-issue half angel
ND (1578–1579)London (Tower) · Greek crossFifth-issue half angel
ND (1580–1581)London (Tower) · Latin crossFifth-issue half angel
ND (1582)London (Tower) · SwordFifth-issue half angel

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