Named in allusion to the Union of the Crowns under James I., coins of the original issue bearing on the obverse the inscription Faciam eos in gentem unam (Ezek. xxxvii. 22). The β-form is prob. due to assimilation with UNIT sb.]
An English gold coin first issued by James I. in 1604, originally current at the value of 20 shillings, and raised in 1611 to 22 shillings. Cf. BROAD sb. 4, BROAD-PIECE, and JACOBUS.
Different issues of this coin were denominated the laurel (LAUREL sb. 4) and the sceptre (SCEPTRE sb. 3) after the distinguishing feature of each, and these terms were also used attrib. with unite.
α. 1604. Proclam. Coynes, 16 Nov. One piece of Gold of the value of Twentie shillings sterling, to be called The Vnite, stamped on the one side with our Picture formerly vsed, with this Stile [etc.].
1611. Proclam. Alteration Prices of Gold, 23 Nov. The piece of Gold called the Vnite [to be current] at xxij.s.
1612. R. Ricart, Maire of Bristowe’s Kal. (Camden), 65. In which purse were 100 vnites of gould, amountinge to the summe of 110ll.
1726. S. M. Leake, Nummi Brit. Hist., 90. A Pound weight of Crown Gold 22 Carracts fine, and two Carracts Allay into 41 l, by Tale, to wit, into Unites at 20s.
1763. [see BROAD sb. 4].
1898. Gertr. B. Rawlings, Story Brit. Coinage, 77. A triple unite was also coined, but at the Oxford mint only.
β. 1736. Folkes, Gold Coins, 6, 2 Ja. 1. Sovereign or Units, vulgarly called Scepters.
1853. Humphreys, Coin-coll. Man., II. 471. The principal gold coins in the early part of the reign [of Charles I.] were—the unit, or broad-piece (20 shillings), with its half and quarter.
† b. As the name proposed for certain silver coins (see quots.). Obs.
1691. Locke, Lower. Interest, Wks. 1714, II. 79. He proposes that his Silver Vnite … should go for 75 Pence.
1695. Lowndes, Rep. Ess. Amend. Silver Coins, 62. One Piece which may be called the Sceptre or the Silver-Unite.
