English Hammered Gold Angels
The gold Angel first appeared in 1465, introduced by King Edward IV during the Wars of the Roses. Replacing the earlier Noble, English Angels drew inspiration from the French Angelot d'Or, adopting the shared theme of a celestial figure while developing a distinctly warlike identity.
The obverse of gold Angels depicts Saint Michael the Archangel using a spear to strike down a winged dragon, while the reverse portrays the monarch standing aboard a ship with sword and shield.
Although the coin's value shifted over the centuries, its iconic appearance remained largely unchanged until production ceased in 1642. Medieval Angels commonly carried the Latin legend 'PER CRUCEM TUAM SALVA NOS CHRISTE REDEMPTOR', meaning 'By thy cross save us, Christ the Redeemer'.
Touching For The King's Evil
For centuries, it was believed that reigning monarchs could cure diseases through a ritual laying on of hands. This included scrofula, then known as 'the king's evil'. Because the illness often entered natural remission, the ceremony gained credibility and was seen as proof of a king's divinely ordained power.
Gold Angels became closely linked with this practice since they were given to recipients during touching ceremonies. Many surviving coins show small holes: evidence that they were worn as protective charms. The tradition continued even after the last Angels were struck: Royalists treasured pieces associated with Charles I, and both later Stuart monarchs and Jacobite claimants issued their own gold or gilt touch pieces featuring St Michael imagery.
The Royal Mint's 2026 Angel Series
Hammered Angels remain highly collectable today, admired for their artistry and royal associations. Modern interpretations have been issued by private mints, such as the long-running Manx Angel series, but The Royal Mint's 2026 release marks the first official revival of the historic coin.
Sandra Deiana's dynamic new reverse reimagines St Michael and the dragon with crisp, modern sculpting, framed by the traditional Latin legend. The obverse carries Martin Jennings' portrait of King Charles III. These 2026 coins are available in a range of sizes and finishes, including gold and silver proof editions, plus a BU £5 coin, offering history enthusiasts an opportunity to add a legendary English coin to their collections.
