The Noble

Introduced during the reign of Edward III, the noble had a value of six shillings and eight pence or a third of a pound. Throughout its time in circulation, fractionals were also introduced; a half-noble with a value of three shillings and four pence, and a quarter-noble with a value of one shilling and eight pence.

The obverse featured a striking design of the king on a ship holding a shield bearing the king’s Coat of Arms. Designs on the smaller denominations were similar, with the quarter-noble simply displaying the shield. This was the first gold coin to be produced in large numbers and would continue to be struck for circulation for over 100 years.