The Angel was very popular in medieval times for it was a high value coin and recognised Europe wide. Merchants and Royalty alike used Angels in day to day business .

It was often used to ransom captives during wars and for the purchase of arms and armour.

 

As it is made of pure gold the practice of clipping (removal of a shaving of gold from one or more side) was common and it is a rare gold angel indeed that is not clipped.

The clipping were then melted down and sold.

 

A more recent Gold Angel you may come across is the French Gold Angel which was a fairly common investment coin in the 19th century in France

An even more recent Angel(The Michael) was issued in the Isle of Man and this is also an investment coin.