Silver coin (reverse) showing a crowned shield with a lion rampant, 1582

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This is the reverse of a silver 20 shilling piece minted at Edinburgh in 1582, during the reign of James VI.

The reverse has a crowned shield bearing a lion rampant. The shield is flanked by the letters 'IR' (for Iacobus Rex [King James]) and 'XX S' (for 20 shillings). The Latin inscription translates as: 'The King's power loveth judgement' (from Psalm 49).

The coins of James VI's reign are considered to have the most beautiful designs and most varied legends of all Scottish coins. After the Union of the Crowns of 1603, Scottish gold and silver coins closely resembled their English counterparts.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-022-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1197
• Date: 1582
  
• Material: Silver; slight flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv.: Cross . IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRATIA [.] REX . SCOTORVM .; crowned bust left in armour. Rev.: Cross . HONOR . REGIS . IVDICIVM . DILIGIT . 1582 .; crowned shield of arms; to left, I / XX; to righ
  Coin Type: Fourth coinage
  Coin, 20-shilling piece
  
• Dimensions: Diam 34.50 x 34.00 mm; weight 15.11 g; die axis 11.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Fourth coinage
  Coin, 20-shilling piece
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James VI (King)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver 20 shilling piece, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1582
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
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