The discovery made during a drive up to a house in the village of Asthall, near Burford, Oxfordshire, in the summer of 2007 was truly surprising—a cache of 210 gold coins dating from the reign of Henry VI to Henry VIII (1470-1547). This treasure could have various historical implications: it might represent ecclesiastical wealth buried for safekeeping during the dissolution of the monasteries, or it could have belonged to a wealthy wool merchant.
These coins are known as angels, deriving their name from the depiction of the Archangel Michael on them. The first angels were minted in 1465, a period marked by great religious devotion and a high regard for chivalry. Consequently, the image of the military saint, Archangel Michael, became a fitting subject for this new coinage.
The reigns of Henry VII and his son Henry VIII were a transitional period from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, influencing various aspects of society, including religion, government, court life, and art. The angels found in the Asthall hoard provide a visual representation of this transition, showcasing the shift from Gothic to Renaissance artistic styles.
The religious theme is continued on the reverse side of the coins, where the traditional ship, a motif worn by gold nobles since 1344, is combined with a cross and inscriptions. On the angels, the inscription reads: "Per Crucem Tuam Salva Nos Christe Redemptor," which translates to "Through thy cross, save us, Christ the Redeemer." On the half angels, the inscription reads: "O Crux Ave Spes Unica," meaning "Greetings! O Cross, our only hope." These inscriptions emphasize the religious significance of these coins, reinforcing the piety and faith of the era.