Laurel (English coin)

The Laurel was the third English gold coin with a value of twenty shillings or one pound produced during the reign of King James I.

[1] It was named after the laurel that the king is portrayed as wearing on his head,[2] but it is considerably poorer in both quality and style than the sovereign and unite which preceded it.

The coin was produced during James I's third coinage (1619-1625), five different busts of the king being used in these years.

The legend on the obverse reads IACOBUS D G MAG BRI FRA ET HIB REX -- James by the grace of God, of Britain France and Ireland King.

The reverse shows a long cross over a crowned shield which shows the arms of the four countries, and the legend FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM ("I will make them one nation", from Ezekiel 37:22) This coin-related article is a stub.