Unite coin of James I (r. 1603–25)

Unknown

1613 · Gold · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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 image shows James I and VI, King of England and Scotland (r. 1603-25).

Artist

Unknown

Date

1613

Medium

Gold

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Joseph H. Durkee, 1898