What Are Gold Angel Coins?
Gold Angels were first struck in 1465, when King Edward IV introduced a new gold coin during the turbulent era of the Wars of the Roses. Initially known as Angel-Nobles, these coins replaced the larger Noble. The design of the Angel drew clear inspiration from the French Angelot d'Or, with both coins featuring the image of an angel, though the English version developed a distinctly martial character.
On the obverse, Angels display an image of Saint Michael the Archangel, spear in hand, battling the devil in the form of a winged dragon: a potent image of divine authority. The reverse shows the ruling monarch standing in a ship, armed with sword and shield, symbolising naval power. Over the centuries, the value of Angels fluctuated between 6 Shillings, 8 Pence and 11 Shillings, but their general design remained fairly consistent until the reign of King Charles I.
The most common legend used on Angels in the medieval period was 'PER CRUCE[M] TUA[M] SALVA NOS CHRISTE REDE[MPTOR]', which translates from the Latin as 'By thy cross save us, Christ, the Redeemer'. These coins were struck until the early 1640s, replaced, after the Restoration of Charles II, with the Guinea.
Touch Pieces & The King's Evil
In medieval England and France, some monarchs claimed the divine gift of healing certain illnesses through touch, most famously scrofula, a lymphatic disease then known as 'the king's evil'. Since scrofula often went into remission on its own, these touching rituals appeared effective, strengthening the idea that the sovereign had been chosen and sanctified by God.
Over time, Angels became integral to this ceremony. Recipients were often given a coin in place of, or in addition to, the physical touch. Many Angels survive with small holes drilled into them, evidence that they were worn as pendants, believed to offer ongoing protection. Even those less inclined to religious devotion would have welcomed the gift of a valuable gold coin.
When official minting of Angels ceased in the 1660s, the tradition persisted. For Royalists, Angels distributed by the executed Charles I carried particular poignancy. Both the restored Stuart monarchs and the exiled Jacobite pretenders distributed gold or gold-plated touch pieces, many of which bore variations of the historic St Michael design.
The Royal Mint's 2026 Angels
Today, hammered Angels are treasured by serious collectors for their history, intricate designs and association with a fascinating royal ceremony.
Several private mints have issued modern coins inspired by the Angel, most notably Manx Angels, minted for the Isle of Man by the Pobjoy Mint and later the Tower Mint. However, the 2026 Angel collection represents the first official revival of the coin by The Royal Mint, drawing comparisons with other historically inspired collections, including the Great Engravers and British Monarchs series.
2026 Royal Mint Angels feature an exclusive reverse: a powerful reinterpretation of St Michael battling the dragon, created by acclaimed coin artist Sandra Deiana. Her design captures the energy and symbolism of the original medieval motif while rendering it with clean, modern lines and sculptural depth. Surrounding the motif is a Latin legend that reads 'PER CRUCEM TUAM SALVA NOS CHRISTE REDEMPTOR'. Deiana's reverse is paired with Martin Jennings' definitive portrait of King Charles III, which is displayed on the obverse along with the date and denomination.
The 2026 Angels are available in limited-edition gold and silver proof presentations, ranging from large low-mintage pieces to more accessible formats, along with a brilliant uncirculated £5 coin in gift packaging. With their blend of legendary imagery and contemporary craftsmanship, these new Angels offer a remarkable continuation of one of Britain's most famous coins.