Coin (reverse), half-unicorn, from reign of James IV

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This is the reverse of a gold half-unicorn minted at Edinburgh between 1488 and 1505, during the reign of James IV. The coin was worth nine shillings Scots.

The reverse has a wavy 12-pointed 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 IV's coins were mainly continuations of the types issued during the previous reign. Those stylistic changes that did occur were largely backward-looking. No attempt was made to follow James III's example of using a realistic portrait.

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-005-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1116
• Date: 1488 - 1505
  Between 1488 and 1505
  
• Material: Gold; slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: . IACOBVS : DEI : GRACIA : REX . SCT .; stops are single and double V-shaped ornaments; unicorn to left, holding shield of arms. Rev.: Lis EXVRGAT . D . S . ET . DISIPEnTVR In; stops are V-shaped ornaments; final n d
  Coin Type: Stewart Ia; Murray q (Id); cf Burns 1, fig 660
  Coin, half-unicorn
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 21.00 x 20.50 mm; weight 1.91 g; die axis 7.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart Ia; Murray q (Id); cf Burns 1, fig 660
  Coin, half-unicorn
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James IV (King)
  Pollexfen collection (1900 sale, lot 309)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James IV gold half unicorn, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1488-1505
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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