Elizabeth I (r. 1558–1603) 1594 - 1596

This gold coin featuring Elizabeth I was produced by the Royal Mint in England during her reign from 1558 to 1603. Coins like these are fascinating documents of social and cultural history. The image of Elizabeth, with her crown and elaborate ruff, served as a powerful statement of authority. As currency, it asserted the power of the English monarchy in the economic sphere. The Royal Mint, as an institution, was crucial to this projection of royal power. The very act of producing and circulating these coins reinforced the Queen's image and the stability of her reign. To understand the full context of this coin, we can explore the economic policies of Elizabeth's government and the history of the Royal Mint. By studying these resources, we can appreciate how a simple coin becomes a window into the social and institutional structures of Elizabethan England.