Coin thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Coin

1653 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
London (made)

Object Type
This is a hammered sovereign of the Commonwealth, dated 1653. On the obverse (front) is a shield of St George within a wreath, with the legend 'The Commonwealth of England'. On the reverse are the shields of England and Ireland, with the words 'God with us, 1653'. The substitution of coins with the arms of England and Ireland for the familiar coins bearing the monarch's head was perhaps the most obvious change in official imagery following the Civil War of 1642-1646.

Materials & Making
This sovereign was hammered into shape in a mould. At a later date coins were struck from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. Gold, being a relatively soft medal, could be given an image simply by hammering.

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Object details

Categories
British Galleries
Coins & Medals
Object type
Coin
Materials and techniques
Struck or cast gold
Gold
Brief description
Sovereign coin of the Commonwealth
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 3.4cm
  • Depth: 0.1cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 06/06/2000 by KB
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
This republican coin was first struck in 1649 following the execution of Charles I. The reverse shows the cross of St George for England and the Irish harp of Erin, rather than the portrait of a ruler. New coinage did not replace the old entirely in the Commonwealth period, and coins bearing the image of the executed king remained in circulation.
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Summary
Object Type
This is a hammered sovereign of the Commonwealth, dated 1653. On the obverse (front) is a shield of St George within a wreath, with the legend 'The Commonwealth of England'. On the reverse are the shields of England and Ireland, with the words 'God with us, 1653'. The substitution of coins with the arms of England and Ireland for the familiar coins bearing the monarch's head was perhaps the most obvious change in official imagery following the Civil War of 1642-1646.

Materials & Making
This sovereign was hammered into shape in a mould. At a later date coins were struck from metal dies engraved with the design in reverse. Gold, being a relatively soft medal, could be given an image simply by hammering.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1882. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1883. pp. 86
  • Catalogue of the Jones Bequest. 1924
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
946-1882

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Record createdJuly 1, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O81841/coin-unknown/
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