AngelHalf a sovereign in gold; so called because, at one time, it bore the figure of the archangel Michael slaying the dragon. When the Rev. Mr. Patten, vicar of Whitstable, was dying, the Archbishop of Canterbury sent him #10. The wit said, “Tell his Grace that now I am sure he is a man of God, for I have seen his angels.” Angel (a public-house sign), in compliment to Richard II, who placed an angel above his shield, holding it up in his hands.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Angel from Infoplease:
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