Noble (English coin)
The noble was the first
The value of the coin was six shillings and eight pence (written 6/8, or 6s.8d., vjs.viijd.), which was equivalent to eighty old pence or one-third of a pound sterling. The weight was changed from issue to issue to maintain this value until 1464 when the value was increased. Throughout the history of this denomination there are many variations of inscription, mintmark, and (to some extent) of design.
Origin
The coin was introduced during the second coinage (1344–1346) of King Edward III, when the coin weighed 138.5
Edward III Second Coinage obverse legend: EDWAR DGRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB ("Edward by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland"). Design: The king, holding a sword and shield in a ship. Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way"). Design: 'L' in centre of a cross. The image of the ship and the Biblical text (from the Gospel of Luke 4:30) commemorate Edward's victory at the Battle of Sluys in 1340.[1]
The Third Coinage design is the same as the Second Coinage, except for having an 'E' in the centre of the cross on the reverse.
During the Fourth Coinage, politics required changes in the inscriptions. Initially Edward retained his claim on the throne of France, but following the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 this claim was dropped, and coins instead claim Aquitaine. In 1369 the treaty broke down and the claim on the throne of France was reinstated.
Pre-Treaty legend (obverse): EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC D HYB(E) ("Edward, by the grace of God King of England and France, Lord of Ireland"). Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
Transitional period (1361) and Treaty period (1361–1369) (obverse): EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGL DNS HYB Z ACQ (Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine). Reverse legend: IHC AUTE TRANSIES P MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way") (many varieties exist and often whole words are missing).
Post-Treaty period (1369–1377) (obverse): EDWARD DEI G REX ANG Z FRA DNS HYB Z ACT (Edward by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine). Reverse legend: IHC AUTE TRANSIES P MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way") (many varieties exist and often whole words are missing).
1377 onwards
During the reign of King Richard II (1377–99), nobles were struck at both the London and Calais mints, but today they are difficult to obtain. Coins minted at Calais can be distinguished because the ship has a flag at the stern.
Obverse legend: RICARD DI G REX ANGL Z FR DNS HIBS Z AQT (with minor variations in abbreviations) ("Richard by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine"). Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT (many varieties exist) ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
There exists a variant obverse: RICARD DI GR REX ANGL DNS HIBS Z AQT – note the omission of the French title.
Nobles produced during the reign of
During the Heavy Coinage period, nobles were minted in both London and Calais, the Calais coins again being distinguished by the flag on the stern of the ship. During the Light Coinage period, nobles were only minted in London.
Obverse legend: HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FR DNS HIBS Z AQT (with many variations in abbreviations) ("Henry by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine") . Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
1413 onwards
Henry V's (1413–22) coins are very similar to those of his father, but there are about seven different varieties of design and style of lettering. The omission of the "and Aquitaine" title is another difference between the coins of Henry IV and V.
Obverse legend: HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB (often abbreviated) ("Henry by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of the Irish"). Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRAN(S)IENS PER MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
Nobles were struck throughout Henry VI's first reign (1422–61), but a shortage of gold resulted in fewer coins being struck. There were a number of issues, from both the London and Calais mints, but towards the end of the period the coins were only struck in London.
Obverse legend: HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB (often abbreviated) ("Henry by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of the Irish"). Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
In an episode of the British archaeological television series Time Team,[2] a gold Noble was unearthed while excavating the drawbridge area of the moat of Codnor Castle. This helped to date the original castle construction and was believed to confirm the participation of the occupants in the Battle of Agincourt.
1430 onwards
The gold noble, which had hardly changed in style, value, or quality since the reign of Edward III, was minted for the last time during the first reign of
Obverse legend: EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB ("Edward by the grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland"). Reverse legend: IHC AUTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLOR IBAT ("But Jesus passing through their midst went His way").
As a notional value, six shilling and eightpence, 6s.8d. or more commonly 6⧸8 (and read as 'six and eight') for was useful in certain aspects accounting in what by then was British currency, right up until Decimalisation-Day, Mon. 15 Feb. 1971.
Shakespeare
The noble is present in
- Hostess: Marry, my lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you: he says he comes from your father.
- Prince Henry: Give him as much as will make him a royal man, and send him back again to my mother.[3]
- The royal refers to the new noble, or royal, worth 10 shillings.
- Shepard:'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest
The morn that I was wedded to her mother.[4]
- Nym: I shall have my eight shillings I won of you at betting?
- Pistol: A noble shalt thou have, and present pay;[5]
- Gloucester: ...
- That scarce, some two days since, were worth a noble.[6]
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0195334036.
- ^ Season 15, Episode 1
- ^ "Henry IV: II, 4". Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ^ "Henry VI: V, 4". Archived from the original on 2007-11-04. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Henry V II, 1". Archived from the original on 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Richard III, I, 3". Archived from the original on 2008-04-28. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ Much Ado About Nothing, II, 3
- Coincraft's Standard Catalogue English & UK Coins 1066 to Date, Richard Lobel, Coincraft. ISBN 0-9526228-8-2(1999)