Three-pound piece, King Charles I (r. 1625–49)

Manufactory Struck at The Royal Mint British

Based on an engraving by Simon de Passe Dutch

1642

Not on view

The supplies of bullion brought to Europe from the New World in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries caused inflation, and in response new coinage was issued with a wider range of denominations. Gold coins like the sovereign, with the value of one pound, twenty shillings, first appeared in 1489. It was replaced by the unite in 1604 and by the guinea in 1663. Initially minted in gold, the crown was also produced in silver from 1551, with standardized dimensions similar to other European coins.

The half-figure of Charles I is taken from an engraving made by Simon de Passe (1595–1647) while he was working for the English court (1615–23).

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Three-pound piece, King Charles I (r. 1625–49)
Manufactory: Struck at The Royal Mint (London, founded 886 CE )
Artist: Based on an engraving by Simon de Passe (Dutch, Cologne ca. 1595–1647 Copenhagen)
Date: 1642
Culture: British
Medium: Gold
Dimensions: Diameter: 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
Classification: Coins
Credit Line: Gift of the Estate of John L. Cadwalader, 1915
Object Number: 15.31
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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