J61: Gold Noble of Edward III
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© The Holburne Museum of Art, Bath
| Description |
Gold Noble coin of Edward III. Obverse: the central figure of the king stands in a boat with a flag at its helm. He brandishes a sword in his right hand and has a shield decorated with the royal arms on his left arm. With surrounding inscription. Reverse struck with a cross with an E at its centre surrounded by crowns and fleurs-de-lys. With surrounding inscription.
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| Marks and inscriptions |
| Inscription |
Location |
Method |
| AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIVM ILLORVM IBA [But Jesus passing through their midst went His way] |
reverse |
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| EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HIB Z AQVIT [Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of the Irish and Aquitaine] |
obverse |
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| Notes |
The Noble was introduced by Edward III in 1344. It was worth six shillings and eight pence i.e. one third of an old pound. It was the first English coin to be produced in quantity although its design varied according to where and when it was minted. In the Miller's Tale, Chaucer compares Alisoun to a newly minted gold Noble: 'Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe/Than in the Tour the noble yforged newe'. This coin was made during Edward III's fourth coinage and dates from the so-called Post Treaty Period of 1369-1377. The flag on the stern of the ship on the obverse of the coin indicates that it was minted at Calais rather than London. Calais had been captured by Edward III in 1347 and remained under English control until 1558. This is one of 120 gold, silver and bronze coins and medals in Sir William Holburne's collection. It was probably one of the 'Eight Ancient Gold Coins' displayed in an ebony and glass case that was listed on top of the mineral cabinet in Sir William's Study in 1874 (AR153). This suggests that it was one of Holburne's most prized coins as the majority were kept in trays that were probably housed in the pedestal collector's cabinet in the Front Drawing Room (1625).
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| Muse theme |
The Art of Collecting
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| Muse chapter |
The History of the Holburne Collection » The Collection » Coins and Medals
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| Method of acquisition |
Bequest
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| Provenance |
Thomas William Holburne (1793-1874); by whom bequeathed to Mary Anne Barbara Holburne (1802-1882), by whom bequeathed to the Museum |
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