Coin (reverse), unicorn, from reign of James V

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This is the reverse of a gold unicorn minted at Edinburgh between 1513 and 1526, during the reign of James V. The coin was worth 23 shillings Scots.

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 V's reign saw the introduction of two new gold coins - the crown and the ducat. The latter was the first Scottish gold coin to bear a portrait. A new billon coin called the bawbee also appeared for the first time.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-361-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C147
• Date: 1513 - 1526
  Between 1513 and 1526
  
• Material: Gold; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv. Crown IACOBVS . DEI : GRA . REX . SCOTORV M : : :; stops are trefoil, double pellet, two pellets, double pellet, double trefoil, double pellet; saltire and grass at base; unicorn to left, supporting shield of arms
  Coin Type: Stewart II
  Coin, unicorn
  
• Dimensions: 27.00 x 26.00 mm D
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart II
  Coin, unicorn
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James V
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James V gold unicorn, Edinburgh, 1513 - 1526
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: