Noble

Noble, a gold coin first minted by Edward III., and so called from its being of noble metal: on the one side was a ship, in allusion to Edward's victory at Sluys. The original value was half a mark, or 6s. 8d. A later issue (Edward IV.) bore a rose on the same side as the ship, and were called rose-nobles and ryals. Silver having depreciated, the value of the noble rose to 10s. (much greater purchasing value than now), and a new coin of the old value was issued, called the Angel (q.v.).