Unite (English coin) facts for kids
The unite was an old English gold coin. It was first made when King James I was in charge. The coin got its name because it had words on it that showed the king wanted to bring his two kingdoms, England and Scotland, together.
At first, the unite coin was worth twenty shillings. But in 1612, gold became more valuable across Europe. So, the coin's worth went up to twenty-two shillings. The unite was made during James I's second period of coin production (from 1604 to 1619). Later, it was replaced by another coin called the Laurel, which was worth twenty shillings. All these coins were made at the Tower Mint in London.
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King James I's Unite Coin
Different pictures of King James I were used on the unite coin. The king is shown looking to the right. He is holding a special ball called an orb and a stick called a sceptre. The way the king's beard looks changed over time.
The words on the front of the coin said: IACOBUS D G MA BRI FRA ET HI REX. This means "James by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland".
On the back of the coin, there was a crowned shield. This shield showed the symbols of the four countries. The letters "IR" (which stood for Iacobus Rex, or King James) were also there. The words on the back said: FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM. This means "I will make them one nation," and it comes from a very old book called Ezekiel in the Bible.
King Charles I's Unite Coin
Many gold unites were made at the Tower Mint during the time of King Charles I (from 1625 to 1649). These coins were made both when the mint was controlled by the king and when it was controlled by Parliament.
The coins showed a crowned picture of King Charles I on the front, looking to the left. The number "XX" (which means 20) was behind the king's head. The words on the front said: CAROLUS D G MAG BR FR ET HI REX. This means "Charles by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland".
The back of the coin showed a crown above a shield with the royal symbols. The words on the back said: FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA. This means "Through agreement, kingdoms grow strong".
During the English Civil War, some very rare unite coins were made in different towns like Chester, Oxford, Bristol, Exeter, Worcester, and Shrewsbury. These coins were used to pay soldiers. Some of these special unites are the only ones of their kind left today!
Commonwealth Unite Coin
Gold unites were also made during the time of the Commonwealth of England. This was a period when England was not ruled by a king. These coins had words only in English. The front said: THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND. The back said: GOD WITH US. This change to English words happened because Latin was linked to the Catholic Church, and people wanted to avoid that connection at the time.
King Charles II's Unite Coin
Unite coins were also made for a short time when King Charles II first became king (from 1660 to 1662). These coins were made using an older method called "hammered" coins. They showed a picture of the king looking to the left, wearing a laurel (a crown of leaves). The words on the front said: CAROLUS II D G MAG BRIT FRAN ET HIB REX.
There were two types of these coins. The second type showed the value "XX" (20) behind the king's head. The back of the coin had a crown over a shield with the royal symbols, with the letters "CR" (for Charles Rex, or King Charles) on either side. The words on the back were FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA.
The gold unite coin was replaced in 1663 by a new coin called the Guinea. A coin worth twenty shillings didn't appear again until the Sovereign was made in 1817.
Images for kids
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Unite issued during the Commonwealth.
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