ADVENT ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

Advent Calendar Day 4

 
HCR4884 Edward IV Coin

Edward IV coin depicting Archangel Michael 

In the summer of 2007 an amazing discovery occurred on the driveway of a house in the Village of Asthall, near Burford. 210 gold coins were found dating from 1470–1547. The Hoard could represent the Church wealth buried for safekeeping during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, or it might have belonged to a wealthy wool merchant.

The coins are called angels after the Archangel Michael who is depicted on them. The coins were first minted in 1465 which was a time when the ideal of a knighthood was highly regarded. Archangel Michael is a military saint so it made the perfect subject for the new coinage. 
 

Edward IV coin depicting Archangel Michael, 1461–1470

Gold
26 mm 
Greater London
HCR4884