Coin (Obverse), saltire plack, from reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a saltire plack minted at Edinburgh in 1594, during the reign of James VI. The coin was made of billon and was worth four pence Scots.

The obverse bears a leaved thistle superimposed on two sceptres in a saltire. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

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: 000-100-053-804-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3352
• Date: 1594
  
• Material: Billon; both sides slightly off-centre, bent, part of edge ragged, some flattening; fairly worn. Inscription: Obv. * . IACOB [' .] D . G . R [.] SCO' .; initial mark is a quatrefoil; leaved thistle over two sceptres in a saltire / Rev. * . OPPID' . EDIN [
  Coin, saltire plack
  
• Dimensions: 20.50 x 22.00 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin, saltire plack
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI billon saltire plack, Edinburgh, 1594
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), 121 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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