Coin (Reverse), unicorn, from reign of James III

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This is the reverse of a gold unicorn minted in Edinburgh between 1484 and 1488, during the reign of James III. The coin was worth 18 shillings Scots and was in the first ever issue of unicorns.

The reverse has a large wavy star superimposed on a cross fleury. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered'. The words are taken from Psalm 68.

James III's reign saw a number of major coinage innovations including two new gold coins - the rider and the unicorn; a large billon coin - the plack; and thistle-heads and a realistic portrait of the king appearing on coins for the first time.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-699-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C96
• Date: 1484 - 1488
  Between 1484 and 1488
  
• Material: Gold; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross EXVRGAT : DE : ET : DISIPENT . NIMICI : E; stops are double five-pointed star, comma over five-pointed star, double five-pointed star, single five-pointed star, double five-pointed star; unicorn to left, suppor
  Coin Type: Stewart II, Murray X (Ia)
  Coin, unicorn
  
• Dimensions: 25.00 x 24.00 mm D / Die Axis: 9.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart II, Murray X (Ia)
  Coin, unicorn
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James III gold unicorn, Edinburgh, 1484 - 1488
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' [multimedia CD-ROM] Edinburgh: NMS, 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: