Noble: Edward III Standing in Ship with Shield of Arms (obverse); Ornamental Cross with Lis Terminals (reverse)

Description

Bearing in mind the primitive tools and methods of production in the 1300s, this noble, and other similar pieces are remarkable for their beauty and fineness of detail. In all the indentures of this period a clause was inserted providing for the trial of the Pyx. The Master of the Mint was supposed to place in the Pyx, a small box, a sample of all coins struck. These were left for three months and then tested by a committee to verify the weight and fineness. For many centuries the Trial of the Pyx took place in the Pyx Chamber at Westminster Abbey which visitors may still see today. In the 1800s the trial was transferred to Goldsmiths Hall where it is still held annually. Each three months some initial or secret mark was put on the coin to show that another three month period had started. These marks consisted of initial marks plus combinations of single or double annulets, broken annulet, unbarred N's, reversed S's, and so forth.

Provenance

Mrs. Emery May Holden Norweb (1895-1984), Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art (-1969); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1969-)

Noble: Edward III Standing in Ship with Shield of Arms (obverse); Ornamental Cross with Lis Terminals (reverse)

[]

1351

Accession Number

1969.160

Medium

gold

Dimensions

Diameter: 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.)

Classification

Coins

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

The Norweb Collection