Add Coin
Join NGC for free to add coins, track your collection and participate in the NGC Registry. Learn more >
2020 Best Presented Set
5495
Points
I.M.S.A.P.
The Silver Angel is a commemorative coin in remembrance of the first Angels struck in mediaeval England over 500 years ago. The coins all carry the same depiction of the Archangel Michael slaying the Dragon which has endured throughout the centuries. The first Silver Angels were struck in 1995 and after a 15 year hiatus the second coin in the series was struck in 2010 followed by another hiatus of 4 years when a mint state coin was issued, an Angel has been issued every year to date since.
The Silver Angels have been issued in several different sizes (1oz, 2oz and 5oz) and several different issues ranging from Proof, Mint State, Reverse Prove, Piedfort and Incuse. There have also been several small design changes which are noted in the individual descriptions of the coins included in this set.
The earliest known coin to depict an angel was the gold coin struck in mediaeval France in 1341. A century later the image of the Archangel Michael slaying the dragon was used as a coin design in England in 1465 during the reign of England’s King Edward IV. The Gold Angel of 1465 was valued at 6 shillings 8 pence, and is today valued at over $10,000. The Gold Angel soon became popular and served as a welcome diversion from the War of the Roses that divided the nation. In 1526, Henry VIII changed the value of the realm’s coinage to 22 Carat (.916 fine). It was from this time that the Gold Angels first won prestige as rare and highly valued gifts, being presented by the Monarch to favored courtiers only on special State occasions. The coin’s traditional depiction of St Michael’s victory over the Dragon has been reproduced countless times and is based in part on the concept of the Apocalypes in the Revelation of St. John. The archangel Michael was the commander of the Army of God and defeated the evil forces in a battle between Heaven and Hell. St. Michael defeating the Dragon symbolizes the strength and purity of good and its ultimate triumph over evil. It was this image which was to gain the Angel its later reputation as a charm thought to possess magical powers. Angel’s were believed to bring good luck to the holder, and in an era dominated by wars and plagues, it was said to have miraculous healing qualities. Angels became treasured as amulets and as they are today in jewelry “touch pieces” which their owners would rub to bring them good fortune.
The Isle of Man, Silver Angels are for the most part readily available and are typically affordable for ungraded coins, a perfect starter set for a beginning Numismatist. High quality coins are still out there, even for the 1995 proof. Most coins can be acquired in PF70 or MS70 grades, the more difficult coins of the set to acquire, and at a reasonable price are the 2016 PF, 2017 PF and the 2018 REV PF, as these coins were limited to a mintage of 500 and only sold in sets which makes these coins slightly more difficult to find and more expensive, as you typically have to purchase the set as opposed to just the one coin. A lovely set for anyone to collect especially if your interests lay in Angels, Religious Iconography, Bullion Collecting, etc. or if you just want a good quality coin to collect that is easy to acquire.
Read more...
NGC Expert Comments:
This is another Number One for its category, with a score nearly four times that of its nearest competitor. All 19 entries are present, each one NGC-certified. With just two exceptions the grades are uniformly RP 70 or PF 70 Ultra Cameo. The owner presents a detailed history of the angel as a coin denomination over the past 500+ years. It was revived in 1995 as a silver crown struck for the self-governing British dependency, Isle of Man. Each specimen is nicely illustrated, most in their NGC holders, and the owner provides useful facts and statistics about all of the coins.