Edward III gold half-noble, 1369–77, Calais

Curatorial Notes:

“Alchemical” silver could be sold to the Mint for coining into groats (worth four pence). The Edward III noble (worth six shillings and eight pence) was the first widely-circulated gold coin struck in England. In later legends, Edward III obtained the gold from metallic transmutation, after recruiting the alchemist Ramon Llull. In fact, a chronic shortage of bullion during the 15th century did prompt royal interest in transmutation—linking alchemy to the coinage in the popular imagination.

Credit Line:

Numismatic Collection, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

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