Laurel (English coin) facts for kids
The Laurel was a special gold coin made in England a long time ago, during the rule of King James I. It was the third type of gold coin made in England and was worth twenty shillings, which was the same as one pound back then. The coin got its name, "Laurel," because the king on the coin wears a laurel wreath on his head, like a crown made of leaves.
This coin was made between 1619 and 1625 at the Tower Mint in London. Even though it was a gold coin, many people thought it wasn't as good quality or as pretty as the older gold coins, like the Sovereign and the Unite.
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What Did the Laurel Coin Look Like?
The Laurel coin had different pictures of King James I on it over the years. There were five different versions of his face used!
The King's Portrait
On the front side of the coin, called the obverse, you could see a detailed picture of King James I. He was looking to the left side of the coin. Next to his head, on the right, you would see the Roman numerals "XX". This "XX" stood for twenty, showing that the coin was worth twenty shillings.
The Latin Message on the Front
Around the king's portrait, there was a Latin message. It said: "IACOBUS D G MAG BRI FRA ET HIB REX". This means "James by the grace of God, of Britain France and Ireland King". It was a common way for kings to show their power and where they ruled.
The Back of the Coin
The back side of the coin, called the reverse, had a different design. It showed a long cross placed over a shield. This shield had the symbols, or "arms," of the four countries that King James I ruled: England, Scotland, France, and Ireland.
The Latin Message on the Back
Just like the front, the back of the coin also had a Latin message. It said: "FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM". This important phrase comes from the Bible (Ezekiel 37:22) and means "I will make them one nation". This message showed King James I's hope to unite his kingdoms into a single, strong nation.
How Much Did a Laurel Coin Weigh?
The Laurel coin weighed about 9.1 grams, which is a little less than 0.3 troy ounces. This was lighter than the previous gold coin called the Unite. However, it was almost exactly the same weight as the Unite coin that was made later during the time of King Charles I, King James I's son.
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